Let�s keep it simple:
The Basic State Pension for a single person is currently �87.30 per week, or �378.30 per month. �Pension Credits� can increase this, but you have to be almost destitute before this kicks in.
Even with a 25% discount, not many people who live in a house pay less than �80 per month in Council Tax. �15 per month is about the lowest water bill I know of. Fuel bills for a house cannot come to less than �40 per month � and that�s if you�re very careful. A TV Licence costs almost �12 per month. A pensioner who has a bit saved but who has no other income qualifies for no reductions on any of these items. They are now left with �230 per month and so far they have not eaten or drunk anything.
If they want to run a small car (and many in rural areas simply have to) it will cost around �30 per month just to park it outside the door and another �50 per month to buy enough fuel to do a modest 5,000 miles per annum. Now they are down to just �150 per month (�37.50 per week). And they still have not eaten or drunk anything. Do I need to go on?
I have not exaggerated any of my figures � if anything I have erred on the low side for some of them, particularly domestic fuel.
The short answer to your question BOO, is that I�m amazed at your puzzlement. Yes, it�s true that some pensioners have additional income (and good job that they have), but that wasn�t the question. The State pension (for which those who receive no �top-ups� have paid for throughout their lives) is nothing short of scandalous, and is particularly so when compared to many of the benefits available to the work-shy.
Furthermore, pensioners should not be expected to merely �survive�. They should be able to live full and active lives without money worries.
Those on State Pensions alone are unable to do so.