Oaps

[millerxxx]

please sign
hands off universal

[factor-fiction]

Pardon?

[Hopkirk]

What, the oldies are taking over Universal Studios?

I'll sign the petition to stop them.

[factor-fiction]

Is this a petitio, miller?

[Tilly2]

............or a patio?

[excelsior-1]

....er --

[factor-fiction]

i assume it's something to do with Universal credit (although I can't see the OAP link) or the Universal Pension.
On the whole the Universal Pension seems a good idea to me

[gness]

I am fed up with us oldies and our trollies being pushed around...if I want to get my hands on universal...I will! ;-) x

[millerxxx]

the goverment are talking about cancelling bus passes free prescriptions
tv licence fee
also talking about means testing oaps
thats what i meant

[factor-fiction]

The pension system needs to be reformed.The present system discourages people from making pension provision as they see others who haven't made any provision get it made up through pension credit. In an ideal world where money was no object any changes to the system would result in many winners and no losers, but that is rarely possible.

[factor-fiction]

The government aren't really talking about it. Nick Clegg for the Lib Dems spout about a few millionaire getting pensioners getting free bus passes but I think he's barking (up the wrong tree) as there are so few. All IDS said was people should return their fuel allowances etc (or give to charity) if they don't need them.

[factor-fiction]

Sorry- a few typos there- my cursor keeps jumping around the answer box on AB for some reason

[Hopkirk]

I don't think he even went as far as 'should' Factor, but the press went mad on what he did say.

[factor-fiction]

You are right, Hopkirk- I should have said 'could'.
I dislike means testing as it discourages saving, is intrusive, is expensive to administer, some will be too proud to apply and some will fudge their financial position and claim the benefits when they are not really entitled to them.
But I can see a case for making fuel allowances taxable so that better off pensioners pay some tax. I know that's means testing of a sort but it's efficient and fairer.

[Svejk]

Funnily enough, it seems Ed Milliband is interested in means testing, which would suggest its not such a bad notion. After all, he could promise them the earth.

[J9PUR]

Still not sure what the question is here..........