Pensions & Benefits
Lack of transport leaves elderly trapped in own homes
- Friday, 19 April 2013
Thousands of over-75s are becoming increasingly isolated and “trapped in their own homes” because of transport cuts and unsuitable bus services.
A damning report has revealed that one in seven pensioners have been directly affected by budget cuts which have had a “devastating impact” on their “sense of happiness and well-being”.
At least 10 per cent now claim they leave the house less because they have no way of getting anywhere by themselves, and no one to help them.
Older people now feel they have lost their independence as a result - which has led to a dramatic increase in reports of loneliness and isolation.
Confusion and uncertainty over pensions leave many in a muddle
- Thursday, 11 April 2013
A shift in working cultures and confusion around retirement planning is resulting in a pension ‘black hole’, with almost a quarter (23 per cent) of UK adults stating they have lost track of at least one pension scheme – according to a new online poll for Age UK.
The poll, commissioned to understand more about people’s attitudes and plans for retirement, reveals that nearly a third (30 per cent) of UK adults would try to trace a pension if they realised they had lost track of it. However, people are unsure about how and where to start hunting these pensions down.
New state pension plan still unfair
- Thursday, 04 April 2013
Britain’s biggest pensioner organisation, the National Pensioners Convention (NPC) has criticised the latest report from the Work and Pensions Committee for failing to highlight the unfairness contained in the government’s plans to introduce a single-tier state pension of £144 a week from 2016.
The NPC claims that future generations will end up getting less pension than under the present system, but have to pay more for it and work longer before they can receive it, whilst existing pensioners – many of whom would benefit from an increase in their state pension – will be completely excluded from the changes.
Budget announcement 'less Aspiration Nation more Aspirin Nation'
- Wednesday, 20 March 2013
Britain’s biggest pensioner organisation, the National Pensioners Convention (NPC) has said today’s Budget announcement was less “Aspiration Nation” and more “Aspirin Nation” given that it will have left millions of older people with a severe financial headache on issues such as pensions and social care.
A television company needs you!
- Tuesday, 19 March 2013
Twenty Twenty is making a ground-breaking living history documentary series about welfare.
We’re inviting people of a pensionable age who are receiving benefits in the Nottinghamshire area to experience how life would have been for them when the welfare state was first created.
Interested? Want to find out more?
TV programme did not present balanced view of pensioner benefits
- Tuesday, 19 March 2013
The National Federation of Occupational Pensioners (NFOP) is disappointed with the recent Channel 4 Dispatches programme ‘Rich and on Benefits’.
Whilst NFOP accepts that the programme did not set out to portray a balanced view on the subject of universal benefits, NFOP is disturbed by Channel 4’s apparent willingness to further a damaging misconception that pensioners, as a group, are financially secure.
Wealthy pensioners could be taxed on benefits to help growth
- Thursday, 14 March 2013
Dr Ros Altmann, a savings and investment expert and former Government policy adviser, says money belonging to savers and pensioners can play an important part in revitalising Britain’s economy.
She wants a Budget where wealthy pensioners are taxed on benefits such as Winter Fuel Payments, and pension or insurance funds are used to fund projects for growth.
Elderly deeply concerned about proposed cuts
- Thursday, 14 March 2013
New figures published today have revealed that Britain’s elderly population is deeply concerned about proposed cuts to some universal benefits in the Chancellor’s Budget next week.
The government is considering reducing universal pensioner benefits as a measure to shrink the UK’s financial deficit.
However, a nationwide survey of over 65s has revealed 76% think this is unfair, rising to 89% in the North East. Over 40% think other areas of government expenditure should be reduced first.
Consumers not getting a fair deal on pensions
- Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Consumers are not yet getting what they need from Defined Contribution Pension schemes.
That was the key message from Kay Blair, Vice Chair of the Financial Services Consumer Panel, when she addressed today’s Westminster and City conference on Decumulation Policy.
According to the Panel, more needs to be done to ensure members get a fair deal from their DC schemes. That means reducing complexity, addressing high and opaque charges and tackling the cost-effective treatment of small pension pots.
More Articles...
- Is there sufficient protection for women and carers?
- Hats off to Steve Webb for our new pensions system!
- Pension White Paper offers nothing for existing pensioners and “cons” future generations
- Removing winter fuel allowance not the care funding solution
- Pensioners' organisation says former minister’s care plan “doesn’t add up”
- New Year Message from Age Cymru
- UK’s largest occupational pensioner organisation’s concerns over LibDem plans to remove universal benefits
- State Pension to be highest share of earnings in 20 years
- Chancellor’s statement ignores concerns of pensioners and leaves millions to struggle on
