Another White Elephant ?

[youngmafbog]

Now the Government is proposing Care home costs to be funded by State Loans. Individuals will still have to sell their home and pay interest so what exactly is th epoint?

Just when will they get it in their thick heads that the reason saving has dropped dramatically and few, bar civil servants receiveing gold plated ones, have a pension.

I mean, why bother, live life to the full now and enjoy the megre amount you are allowed to keep after tax, dont save it so the ba**ds can take it off you to fund teriists wanting to kill you, Billions on the EU white elephant, Wars we should not be involved in, workshy layabouts, the WHS (was the NHS) etc etc etc.

I thought the Tories were in, I must have been mistaken, more like a commie dictatorship.

[jake-the-peg]

You mean the sort of communism that expects the state to pay for personal care rather than people providing for themselves?

What sort of communism is that then?

Isn't the truth of the matter that a lot of middle class people are upset at seeing the money they had hoped to inherit going to look after their parents in their old age?

Isn't this not about looking after pensioner but protecting people's inheritances?

[Duncer]

Not at all Jake.

If I am fortunate enough to live to retirement age, (and successive governments seem very keen to prevent this), then I want to travel and broaden my horizons with any money I have "earned", not sell things to fund some government that is too challenged/lazy/uncaring to look after me, despite my lifelong contributions to the "system".

I also want to remain in the house I have transformed with my money and my labour, getting it into the condition my good lady and I wanted.

[ummmm]

I don't understand where you're coming from Duncer. When you retire you can whatever you want with your savings.

[Duncer]

Not if I had to sell my house for care I couldn't.

[beso]

Unfortunately the demography of most developed nations is being hit by the "Baby Boomer" wave.

Governments are stuck between a large population reaching retirement and a limited population of wage earners to pay taxes.

[ummmm]

//then I want to travel and broaden my horizons with any money I have "earned"//

So travel and broaden your horizons before you need care.

[Duncer]

If only I had your prescience?

[ummmm]

Don't be silly. If you needed the level of care where you'd need to sell your house then travelling wouldn't be on the cards.

[Sqad]

Duncer.....if i can get this clear in my mind.........you want the UK tax payer to fund your retirement care whilst you still live in your house and travel the world?

Is that correct?

[Duncer]

Now who's being silly - are you telling me that I'm not allowed to recover.

[Davethedog]

I agree with this totaly, whats the point of striving all your life to build a better life and leave something to your kids. I am not of the scrounger type view but whats the point of you having property etc if the govenment are just going to leave you in the same boat as people who have never aquired anything.

[Duncer]

"Duncer.....if i can get this clear in my mind.........you want the UK tax payer to fund your retirement care whilst you still live in your house and travel the world?

Is that correct?"

A slight twisting of my words but, in essence, yes. I am saying that I feel, as one of the aforementioned UK taxpayers of 31 years and counting, that I should be able to get free treatment from the NHS without selling my home or taking out a loan. If by "retirement care" you mean day to day living, then of course not; that is entirely my responsibility.

I also want to keep my money to spend on myself. If I had to sell my house for residential care and then I recover I would have to use my savings to get accommodation, yet feckless unemployable creatures have none of these worries or responsibilities.

[hc4361]

Duncer, the sort of residential care under discussion is not because of an illness you can recover from.
When you're in there, you ain't ever going home.

[Duncer]

So the goverment are proposing the asset stripping of the terminally ill?

Nice!

[Davethedog]

Jake so are you saying that if you have aquired a house a decent bank balance you should have to use that to pay for care, whilst those who haven't are cared for by the state? So one rule for the poor and another for the "middle class"?

Thats fine if its applied to other things, no housing benifit full stop. I can afford my house why should I subsidise it while I am working?

No social health care, I can afford private health care so why should i subsidise it while I am working?

You are well aware that I don't mean the above two statements however I have worked all my life and paid significant taxes, that have contributed to society and you would wish to penalise me for it?

No you can't have it both ways

[ummmm]

It's not the terminally ill. It's the terminally old. If you need full time care in a residential home. The council will provide 'some' care for elderly and those who need it at home, without them having to sell their homes or even break into their savings.

[Brenden]

I can understand the paying for a residential home, where you are still quite able and fit, but not a nursing home where you are incapable of looking after yourself, the latter should be paid for by the NHS.

[hc4361]

Davethedog, why the hell should I and my kids pay more tax and insurance to keep you in nursing care so that YOUR kids can pay yet more tax and NI but inherit your house?

The fact is the population is living longer than ever, the cost of nursing care is astronomic and for the state to pay all the fees is a burden the workers can't meet.

If you want your kids to inherit your house, let them look after you in decrepit years.

[ummmm]

Residential homes/care homes. They might be physically fit, doesn't mean they are mentally fit though.

[Davethedog]

HC that would suit me fine as long as I don't have to pay tax. Oh and care is not extended to any one who cannot afford it.

Simples if you can't afford it you don't get it. As you don't have a house I take it you'll be happy with that arrangement or your kids pay for it.