I Wonder How Many Wealthy Pensioners Would Be Prepaired To Hand Their Benefits Back?have Handed Their

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22327335

Should all such benefits be 'means tested', and where would this end, should 'rich' pensioners also be made to pay for NHS health care etc?

[ummmm]

I watched an interview on TV where a pensioner said he tried to return the winter fuel payment as he didn't need it. There was no returns policy.

[weecalf]

Wonder how many mps would give the money back they got for doing nothing for the country only living of the fat of the land

[sir.prize]

Ian Duncan Smith needs to get up to date. A number of wealthy pensioners, including celebrities made efforts to return their winter fuel allowance - but hey, they found there was no facility in place to do so.

Another Minister talking through his arriass.

[rockyracoon]

A TV personality tried to do it too Umm, he got nowhere. Perhaps the should set up a helpline for people to give it back.

To answer the question, no I don't think they should be means tested, it would probably cost more to administer it all than what it would save. The focus on the news was bus passes, how much does that cost the public purse?

[furrypusscat]

What is classed as 'wealthy'.
If I was living comfortably through having worked hard throughout my life then no I wouldn't hand benefits back just so the workshy who have never or almost never worked or paid into the system can have their benefits handed to them on a plate.

[sir.prize]

Hand it back to help creatures like Qatada? I don't think so.

[furrypusscat]

I disagree with means testing and no people who have again paid into the system should not have to pay for healthcare. Again it depends on how 'rich pensioners' are defined. Too much is handed out to people who have sat on their backsides and done nothing to help themselves while others have worked hard for what they have got and end up paying the cost.

[mikey4444]

Why the bloody hell should they ! I am about to get my bus pass and am looking forward to it. I have worked all my life, never scrounged off the State, so I reckon I have earned this small benefit. Never heard such nonsense.

[anotheoldgit]

What austerity cuts have the politicians been forced to endure?

How many have lost their jobs?

How many have had their allowances cut?

How many have been forced to downsize their second homes in London?

How many now have to pay for their own travel fares?

Other suggestions please.

[hc4361]

Pensioners who don't want the winter fuel allowance are free to donate the money to Age Concern, any other charity or an acquaintance.

[jim360]

Not everyone who is a pensioner has been so honest as mikey, but no, we shouldn't means-test pensions. Far too expensive to do so, costs would outweigh the savings, etc.

The better thing to do would be to make it so that people could voluntarily hand back their fre ebus pass, fuel allowance, etc., if they so wanted, and so set up a facility by which they can do so. But not means test, no sir.

[chaptazbru]

I wouldn't be surprised if it's taxed in future !

[Gromit]

We're all in this together!

[FredPuli43]

The benefits listed hardly amount to much in cash terms . Wealthy pensioners have paid more tax than the rest, given that they have paid 40 per cent, perhaps even 90 per cent, if they are old enough, top slice income tax. Why not give them a few perks ? They can always give the like sum to charity. The real objection may be that means testing for such sums costs a lot more than the sums involved.

[Sqad]

Rich "Pensioners" will remember the days of high rate of tax being 19s 6p in the pound under a Labour government.

I earn a pound and the Government gave me 6old pence to spend and they kept 19s6p.

I will take ALL my benefits ....thank you.

[Sqad]

Fred......we double posted.

[alan-r]

India has said it does NOT NEED the yearly multi billions of £s the uk gives it,but the government still gives

[vulcan42]

I will give back my benefits that I'm entitled to over and above my pension when MP's return their expenses over and above their salary.

[EDDIE51]

You have to apply for a bus pass or a senior citizen train pass they don't just hand them out. If you don't want one don't apply simple.
As to the winter fuel payment there are plenty of charities that would be very grateful for being given the cash if the recipients do not want it.
Personally I think once you have worked for over 50 years and paid tax and NI you are entitled to the very small benefits of being over pension age no matter how well off or not you are.
I can't see that very many wealthy pensioners would want to queue up at a bus stop anyway , not if they can afford a car.

[EDDIE51]

AOG it has been established that 'means testing' would cost far far more in administration than the government would save , its a no brainer !