Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 5:49 am Post subject: Pension Credit
Hi Everyone,
I worked for 50 years from the age of 12 (as a paper boy until I left school). I have only had four jobs since leaving school at 15 without a break in between, as I left one job on a Friday I started the new job on the Monday.
I was made redundant in 2001 after 22 years service and got £6000.00 redundancy money, the bare government minimum, which hardly paid off the payments for my car (my company blamed 9/11, lots of companies got rid of staff around that time and put the blame on 9/11)
I had never been unemployed before so I didn't know what to do, I wasn't in to all the fiddles.
I went to the jobcentre and the girl behind the counter asked what I wanted, I said 'a job', she asked my age and said that as I was over 60, I didn't need to work any more because I had earned my retirement and was entitled to Pension Credit. (Which was then called something else)
I have a company pension which I paid into for over 20 years, I get £270.00 a month from it, my wife is on long term incapacity benefit following a heart attack.
The govermenent say that we should have £174.00 a week to live on so I receive £26.20 pension credit a week to top our income up to the £174.00.
My point is this: A relative of my wife has just turned 60, he has never worked since 1982, he has been on incapacity benefit since then, before that he drifted in and out of jobs.
He never paid into any company pension, yet as soon as he turned 60 he immediately got the full pension credit to the government standard to live on, with all the other benefits that go with it. If I had not paid into a company pension, the governement would have still paid the £174.00 to me and my wife.
So why have I paid into a company pension for over 20 years to end up no better off than someone that's never worked. Why don't I get full pension credit plus my company pension? maybe it's because I'm English and White.
So why have I paid into a company pension for over 20 years to end up no better off than someone that's never worked. Why don't I get full pension credit plus my company pension? maybe it's because I'm English and White.
Thank you for your post, Jimmy, and may I say that I fully agree with your sentiments. Like yourself, I also left school at 15. I had no qualifications, and although I kept my first job for almost eight years, after that I just drifted into menial and boring jobs, got married, (lasted six years), got divorced, (lasted my lifetime), and between spells of unemployment, self-employment, and invalidity benefit, finally reached sixty last year
.
'Pension Credit time' I thought to myself, so I duely contacted the correct department who sent me all the bumff and forms to fill out. Sent them back in oodles of time, and, sure enough by the time my sixtieth birthday had arrived, I'd had my first Pension Credit payment direct into my account.
My employer at that time asked if I wanted to 'continue working'. "Why the hell should I?" I replied, "I'm retiring, and I'm going to enjoy the rest of my life doing what I want to do."
Now, I've got my free time, I have my car, (that I can no longer afford to use), and reasonable health. Oh yes, I also have a Free Bus Pass, which would be fine if there were any buses that went to where I want to go, and when I wanted.
Being retired with no private pension or other income isn't a picnic, but at least it beats working for a living! _________________ http://sewardchronicles.ning.com/
Oh, how I wish I had £174 per week coming into my household. As I'm two years below pensionable age and out of work through no fault of my own, I get a measley £57 per week benefit. This has to pay my gas, electricity, water, some Council tax that is still outstanding from last year and if there's anything left, I have to buy food.
Many a day I have had to drink a glass of cold water, when I got up in the morning, because I haven't any teabags or milk. Many a day I have had to turn my heating off because I cannot afford to run it and sat huddled in a blanket to keep myself warm. Many a night, I have lit a candle and carried it from one room to another to save on my electricity.
This morning, I received a letter from Telewest, telling me that as from 20th June, my telephone line rental is to increase from £10.50 to £11.00, that is without any telephone calls that may be added. How the hell do the Government think my £57 is going to stretch. Most days, I don't even have a proper meal and in the meantime the Jobcentre are hounding me, to get me into jobs that nobody else wants, becaause the hours are long and the pay is ridiculously low.
I have a prolapsed disc and degenerative spinal disease, which means that my back pain will get significantly worse with age and I cannot lift heavy objects, nor bend without intense pain.
Oh, how I wish I had £174 coming into my household each week.
Sylvia, people on the Dole are not expected to be able to 'enjoy' life. In fact, despite all the rubbish you read in the 'Daily Mail' to the contrary, most people on the Dole are not workshy scroungers or dossers, but genuine folk who usually through no fault of their own, have fallen on hard times.
Being unemployed is certainly no picnic. Like yourself, I have also been there, and it's not a pleasent situation to find yourself in. I used to dread having to sign on, because I resented the way that the Job Centre staff treated you. They try to make out that it's your fault that you're not working, and to palm you off with any old rubbishy 'job'. Which is why I took my last job at the Market,(which I found myself), purely and simply to get them 'off my back' until it was time to retire.
It worked, and my last visit to the Job Centre was over four years ago. Now doubt it's become even harder since then. _________________ http://sewardchronicles.ning.com/
Hi Sylvia,
I was just browsing through the 'Hobbies & Interests' thread on this forum and I noticed that you say you have a partner, and he has a spare bedroom room filled with a model railway layout. I would therefore assume that your partner seems to put no money into your household whatsoever, and plays around with his 'train set' all day
It seems that you are the breadwinner and housewife and everything else in your house.
My wife would have turfed me out years ago if that were the case in my house.
I was born and bred in North East England.
In the sixties when unemployment was at 80% in my home town, we packed up and moved South (even though I had a good job as a long distance lorry driver), because I knew that my kids would have no chance of ever getting a job if we stayed were we were, (there are unemployed middle aged people in my home town that have never worked since they left school, there is nothing there for them, never was, and never will be.)
I got a job at an airport within days of moving South, my wife also got a good job in a factory, and that was while bringing up three children.
We were both at those jobs for over twenty years.
We have both worked all our lives until my wife had a heart attack and a quadrulple by-pass in 1999 and I was made redundant in 2001, (I got the bare goverment minimum redundancy pay of £6,000.00 after twenty two years service), the company blamed 9/11 but it was strange that everyone that was made redundant was over 58.
As for illnesses both myself and my wife have Chronic Asthma, she has ongoing Angina, I have Vascular Disease in my legs(Blocked Arteries) Arthiritis in the spine, High blood pressure and High Cholesteral.
Neither of us are on disability allowance, we have never even tried for it, but we know many people who are on disability allowance with less health problems than we have.
We went to the South as complete strangers and knew nobody there, but we made many many friends over the years.
My children all ended up with good jobs and started work as soon as they left school, and are all still working and they are all happily married with children of their own.
I am the main breadwinner, since I am the only person living at this address, by myself, alone here in Grays.
Yes, I do have a partner whom I see fairly regularly, but he lives by himself in his house in Southend on Sea.
We tried living together some 14 years ago, but he was so very possessive, that even on a Saturday when I needed to go to Tesco's to do some shopping, he would ask me how long will I be and what time can he expect me back. Now, I ask you, can anyone say just how long they are going to be in Tesco's on a busy Saturday? I worked full-time and week-ends was the only time I had to do the weekly shop, but he didn't want to come shopping with me.
Our relationship became a bit strained and I left his home in Southend after two years and what little savings I had, I used it to buy my own property in Grays. Me and my partner still see one another, but matrimony is out of the question. When I bought my house, I was working full-time and couldn't foresee myself ever being out of work.
Just like you Pealy2, I worked for the Local Authority for 18 years, that is from 1986 - 2004 and then they laid me off. I had an accident and had several months off in which to recover fully. During this time, the Council was laying staff off left, right and centre. I was one of the unfortunate ones to lose my job too! They didn't lay me off on ill health grounds, although I'd produced certificates given me by the hospital. I'm too young to get my pension just yet and so I am forced to manage on my £57 benefits. I was going to take the Council to the 'Unfair Dismissal Tribunal' and two weeks prior to the court case, they paid me a lump sum as an 'Out of Court Settlement'. This didn't amount to a great deal, but it did pay off my mortgage, of which I am pleased.
I agree with you, all the people who lose their jobs in Local Government are in the 55 plus age bracket. They then employ youngsters becasue they can pay them peanuts for doing the same job.
Pealy2, I am not knocking you for getting £174 per week. With the high cost of living and other expenses, we need every penny we can get. It's just that I am struggling on my £57 and I don't live, I just exist.
I wouldn't ask my partner for any money, my pride won't let me. However, he frequently goes shopping and randomly brings me in some essentials to tide me over. You may wonder why I continue to see someone who isn't going to be my spouse. There have been many times when I thought I should be finding a more suitable partner, a soul mate, but two years ago my partner in Southend was diagnosed with 'Non Hodgkins Lymphoma' terminal cancer. He's had extensive radio therapy treatment and is soon to undergo chemotherapy. He has but five years to live and two of those years are already past. How can I turn my back on a dying man, I'm not ruthless? A soft touch maybe, but definitely not ruthless!
Your tenacity in the face of adversity is to be admired Sylvia, you have certainly been through the mill these last few years or so. A lesser person would probably have bailed out by now and taken the easy option, ie. find a rich sugar daddy type figure with which to spend the rest of their lives in relative comfort and prosperity.
I'm sorry to hear that a more permanent relationship did not work out for you, however, don't give up, there is usually something just over the horizon,the only problem is how long it takes to come into view !
I'm not too good with the old advice lark, the best I can come up with is to hang on in there, I'm sure things wil change in the future and hopefully for the better
I agree wholeheartedly with Ken, and I can only wish you all the very best and hope things start to happen for you very soon.
I have a very close friend who has the same illness as your partner and he too has only a short time to live, in fact he is in hospital now receiving yet more treatment, we have been friends for over sixty years.
Hi everyone,
Very interested in this thread and my posting is directed at Sylvie.
Sylvie you said I have a prolapsed disc and degenerative spinal disease, which means that my back pain will get significantly worse with age and I cannot lift heavy objects, nor bend without intense pain.
Could you not put in for incapacity benefit.? Have you had a word with your doctor. He/she should be able to say that you are unfit for heavy work.
I ask about this because my neighbour has been in similar straits and it was only by urging him on to fill the forms in he found out he could claim the incapacity.
Have you tried.? _________________ If you cant say something nice then dont say anything at all.
Hi Maywalk, thanks for your very kind suggestions and believe me, it's very mcuh appreciated. However, I went on Incapacity Benefit six weeks ago and they tell me that my benefit will increase the longer that I remain on it. At this moment in time, it's rock bottom benefit of £57 the same as JSA and will increase after 13 weeks, they informed me.
My partner who lives in Southend on Sea is especially good to me and takes me shopping and then he pays for it. Not all the time, of course, but every little helps!
I've been going to the hospital to see the pain specialist for several years now, had acupuncture, several operations, to no avail. Now awaiting an appointment to see the Orthopaedic Surgeon. My GP wrote to him in January, I've had an acknowledgement from the hospital, but still no appointment. Ah, well, that sounds about right!
Yes I know exactly what you mean about the Orthopaedic Surgeon Sylvie because my hubby has had three appointments cancelled with one so far.
His next appoinment has been made for the 31st 0f May.
IF it is cancelled again I will be writing to my MP.
At least you have got the ball rolling with starting on Incapacity Benefit.
Do you get a council tax rebate and have you tried for Pension Credit.
I just cant understand how anyone can exist on the pittance you are getting. Have you tried everything
Have you been to the local CAB office to get advice _________________ If you cant say something nice then dont say anything at all.
I didn't think that I'd be entitled to Pension Credit, since I'm not of pensionable age yet, but I'll certainly look into this. Thanks for your concern.
Trouble is Maywalk, I worked for the Local Authority for 18 years, in the Housing Dept. and always earned my own crust, never dependant on anyone. I saw all sorts coming into the Civic Offices day after day after day, making demands on the system and they all knew their rights and what their entitlements were. As for me, I don't know how to work the system and could probably get much more help, but it's knowing where and how to apply for it. Never being in this situation before, it is hard, but I've had to cut my cloth accordingly. I'll certainly take up your advice and go see the Citizens Advice Bureaux this week. Once again, I thank you for your concern.
Since becoming a Member of Silver Surfers Myfreeforum, I have come to know some really nice people and they have helped me pull through some of the bad times, by keeping my spirits up and generally just being there for me. To all my friends out there in the cyber world, thanks for being my friends, thanks too for all your nutty jokes and bizarre stories. I won't go as far as saying that it has kept me sane, quite the reverse, but if you can't beat them, you join them, so I did! Thanks Everyone!
The government's determination to roll out pension credits has been at the expense of other measures that could better tackle pensioner poverty, a new report warns.
Research by the National Audit Office (NAO) finds while increasing take-up of pensions credit by ten per cent would lift up to 107,000 people out of poverty, doing the same for housing and council tax benefits would improve the lives of 130,000 people.
Yet while ministers have been trying to reach their target of
giving the pension credit to three million older people – a target they have missed – the take-up of housing and council tax benefits has fallen by five and ten per cent respectively since 1997.
Seven out of ten pensioners entitled to help with their housing costs but who are not claiming it are living in poverty, the spending watchdog warns.
"This report confirms that this government has become obsessed with meeting centrally set targets at the expense of delivering the benefits and services which will do most to lift pensioners out of poverty," said shadow work and pension secretary Philip Hammond.
The NAO finds the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has made "real and substantial progress" since its last report in 2002, noting that £6 billion was given out in pension credits to 2.7 million pensioner households last year – a take up rate of about 69 per cent.
It warns that the target of providing three million pensioners with the credit by 2006 has been missed, but notes that some of this is due to people, particularly in the less deprived areas or among ethnic minority communities, making a conscious choice not to take it.
However, it says the efforts used to improve take-up of the pension credit should now be applied to other benefits targeted at pensioners, and a new target encompassing the help provided for housing and council tax should be introduced.
"Reaching those who are still not claiming is a formidable challenge, and requires the use of a number of different approaches, tailored to meet the needs of particular groups," said auditor general John Bourn.
"I am pleased to see that more than one million more households receive pension credit than received its predecessor.
"Similar progress with other benefits should be the next step in pursuit of further progress towards what must be the overall goal: reducing pensioner poverty."
Help the Aged spokeswoman Anna Pearson said the government's failure to meet its target was "extremely disappointing", but urged it to act immediately on the NAO's call for a wider approach to tackling pensioner poverty.
"That means better sharing of information in government departments to guarantee that pensioners get what they are entitled to," she said. _________________ http://sewardchronicles.ning.com/
Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 11:50 am Post subject: pensioncredit
I had pension credit for two years, THEY,overpaid me , now I am having to pay them back at £11.50 per week,also because of this overpayment I am paying £70. a month extra council tax, does not leave much out of the basic pension. The social answer to this was "sell your house and live in sheltered accom. I am a fit person (luckily), very active,mentally and phisically. Certainly not ready for that yet.
Sylvie , keep pressing for Invalidity,the doctor is the main person to help,(I am told my a invalid friend of mine)
Dont give up. Best of luck
The Doctors employed by the DWP can and do override your own G.P. This is what happened with me. My G.P. was perfectly happy to supply me with medical certificates, but the doctor at the assesment centre took no heed of these and told me that I was 'fit for work', and my own G.P.s notes would be disregarded. I lodged an appeal against this, and it was over twelve months before the appeal was heard by a panel from the then DSS. I lost the appeal, and this caused me a lot more anxiety which is what I was off work from in the first place!
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Thanks Everyone! 
