Is it worth working hard and saving hard

[HarryM1BYT]

I been looking at May's proposals.

Those who never bothered to work, never bothered to save, seem to get well enough looked after.

One of the few/ only things I am entitled to, after a lifetime of working and saving hard, is the winter fuel allowance. I'm not by any means poor, but only because I was careful with money and saved. My income though is not that good.

Hopefully she will make the WF payment based on income rather than wealth, seems unlikely though. It makes me wonder if I was being a fool saving all my life.

[stevenicks]

I feel the same about it as you Harry, it's alright for the ruling over paid elete with their gold plated pension's. The lot of them make me want to puke

[topman]

Means testing the winter fuel allowance has been knocked about for a few years. It's come up quite a bit on here and seemed a popular idea. But I'm not sure it'll save that much money, means testing itself isn't cheap.

[Phill_190]

I agree the heating payment should be means tested as at the moment even multi millionairs recieve it which is crazy! And the Double lock pension will still mean the pension goes up. Also the social care situation, having worked in social care myself isnt all bad, under the current situation you would be forced to sell your home if you went into a care home and only be left with £23k to pass on. This new way guarantees at least £100,000 to pass on. Hooefully the new funding will improve residential care, as care at home from what I have experianced is poor value for money.

[murphyv310]

Hi.
I've worked hard since I left school at 15. Not only physically but also on my qualifications. I often worked 12-16 hours a day and at weekends. This culminated in buying two houses, I didn't save but spent my cash on cars and my interests. I must have given the government a fortune in Tax & NI. Unfortunately latterly my business collapsed and I lost everything. My health is now poor and I rely on the state to help me since I've propped it up for over 40 years'

[planenut]

Interesting thought provoking thread; I have always made a comment that on the council estates, those with the best cars will be those getting the most benefits - though yes, I know it doesn't really apply, especially now that so many houses on those estates are privately owned.

It is infuriating to realize that because one has been thrifty, even miserly, one is going to gain less from the benefits available.

[Phill_190]

The easiest way to solve the problem is by distributing wealth before you get to this stage or into a trust fund I believe

[HarryM1BYT]

Originally Posted by planenut

Interesting thought provoking thread; I have always made a comment that on the council estates, those with the best cars will be those getting the most benefits - though yes, I know it doesn't really apply, especially now that so many houses on those estates are privately owned.

It is infuriating to realize that because one has been thrifty, even miserly, one is going to gain less from the benefits available.

The jobless seem to be on par or even better off in many cases, than those who work - its a basic principle of reward for hard work, but it seems to be continually being undermined. I know of a few who have never felt the need to do any employed work in their lives, they simply draw benefits.

I always had good well paid jobs, so I was never in a position of being better off not working - besides I always really enjoyed going to work, a fresh challenge every day.

[murphyv310]

Originally Posted by HarryM1BYT

The jobless seem to be on par or even better off in many cases, than those who work - its a basic principle of reward for hard work, but it seems to be continually being undermined. I know of a few who have never felt the need to do any employed work in their lives, they simply draw benefits.

I always had good well paid jobs, so I was never in a position of being better off not working - besides I always really enjoyed going to work, a fresh challenge every day.

That's all very well Harry. The thing is your treated like a scrounge even if you are genuinely I'll and need help and benefits from the DWP.
I'm proud that for over 40 years I never claimed a cent but angry at the way the DWP have treated me in my hour of need.
They don't listen to consultants, GP's or you, four health assessments in under 2 years is bluudy scandalous.

[tony062622]

Originally Posted by HarryM1BYT

The jobless seem to be on par or even better off in many cases, than those who work - its a basic principle of reward for hard work, but it seems to be continually being undermined. I know of a few who have never felt the need to do any employed work in their lives, they simply draw benefits.

I always had good well paid jobs, so I was never in a position of being better off not working - besides I always really enjoyed going to work, a fresh challenge every day.

I totally agree Harry, I,m 69 later this year have worked all my life in engineering and still am. I worked abroad for a lot of years made great money, worked hard and played hard.By played hard I mean, as my wife then was quite ill two types of cancer before she was 27 given 24 hours at one time,I took the decision to live for today so she saw a bit of the world before she sadly passed away at 48.
Since then I have continued to work to supplement my pensions.
It does make my blood boil when I see so many living the life of reilly having played the system.When I moved into my present house March last year, the next door neighbour introduced himself, and then in practically the next sentence bragged to me that he,s 58 and only worked officially 12 months in his life due to a "bad back" That doesnt stop him charging for digging over/cutting the grass etc and offering handyman services for money around the area.Why do these people get away with it especially when you hear of genuine people struggling as dont know how to play the system.
A colleague of mine, told me a story from his wife who works in benefit office that she used to watch women outside the office prior to appointments,gouging there children on drinks and then when the kids play up say they have various ailments , eg ADHD, etc. to claim more benefits.

What has happened to working for a living? Winge over