We've had the vision - now can we have our pension please?
By Brian Havard - 08/08/2008
Pensions Minister Mike O’Brien’s homily is merely cynical hypocrisy when he writes: ‘We must begin to free our minds from some of the prejudices about ageing, create new life chances for people, and in the decades to come recognise that some of the most happiest years of our life will be spent after the age of 65’.
More Stories
"Please support our benefits campaign for severe sight loss," says the RNIB
The RNIB is asking Mature Times readers for support in the final stages of their campaign to extend eligibility to claim the higher rate mobility component of DLA to people with severe sight loss. The Government is in the process of making a decision about whether or not to make the changes, and keeping up the pressure at this stage is vital - because the decision could go either way.
"Change policy to end rising pensioner poverty," Government told
Britain’s biggest pensioner organisation, the National Pensioners Convention (NPC), has called on the government to change its pensions’ policy because it is failing to tackle the growing problem of pensioner poverty.
Ex-Gurkhas lose their battle to retire in the country they defended
The two thousand Gurkha veterans who risked their lives for this country and retired before July 1st 1997 have been denied the right to live here in their old age, having lost an adjourned test appeal case.
One in three of future pensioners face poverty in retirement
Britain's biggest older people's organisation, the National Pensioners Convention (NPC), has claimed that today's Scottish Widows’ survey showing that one in three people cannot afford to save for their retirement, is further evidence that the government’s pensions’ policy is beginning to unravel.
Fight goes on for women's pension rights
Regular MT readers will know that Lib Dem MP Steve Webb has been battling for better pension rights for women - here he reports how our readers are helping to bring about improvements for all.
Pensioners “being forced” to open bank accounts
Hundreds of thousands of pensioners are being told to open bank accounts if they want to continue getting their state pension, according to Britain’s biggest pensioner organisation, the National Pensioners Convention (NPC).
Disgrace of another 300,000 pensioners being "forced into poverty"
The latest 'Households Below Average Income figures' published on June 10th have shown that an additional 300,000 pensioners have been forced into poverty - on average that’s around 822 pensioners each day. The figures have been described by Help The Aged as "a disgrace" - whilst the Government is claiming that "the vast majority of people are better off than they were ten years ago".
Benefits advice could be just the medicine for older patients
Welfare benefits advice could be just the medicine for millions of older patients, according to a new report by Age Concern. Yet despite growing evidence that claiming benefits can improve health and wellbeing, new evidence shows that the vast majority of GP practices in England are not linked to a benefits advice service.
Older people 'sick at the thought of their future'
One in four older people in the UK have become so worried about the future that they are making themselves ill, according to the third annual ‘Spotlight’ report produced by leading older people’s charity Help the Aged.
Too little, too late
Over the last two months we have published articles by the Shadow Minister for Pensions and the Minister of State Mike O’Brien - both setting out their visions for future pension provision. Frank Cooper, National Pensioners Convention President, says that what’s on offer is too little and too late to help today’s generation of pensioners.
Promises, promises ... the politicians who don't deliver on our overseas pensions
Over half a million ex-pat British pensioners have had their pensions frozen - some by more than £55 a week – because they are now living overseas in Commonwealth countries rather than the EU. But, writes Brian Havard, if UK Government Ministers were to implement the promises they have personally made, our pensions would not be frozen.
Government petition for frozen overseas pensions
The Mature Times has highlighted the unfair freezing of overseas pensions. So I am writing to alert people to the fact that there is now an e-petition on the subject.
Widows, single pensioners and the 10% tax charge: "a failure of joined-up government "
The abolition of the 10% tax band will increase the tax liability for some people under 65 who are not entitled to tax credits. Women pensioners between the ages of 60 and 64 on low incomes are hit particularly badly by the abolition of the 10% band of tax from 6th April 2008.
Protest over "derisory" 25p pension increase
When the 25p pension supplement for those over 80 was introduced it would have bought a bag of coal. Today it won't even stretch to a first class stamp. Campaigners are now urging pensioners to send their 25p payment back to the Chancellor in protest.
