Re: Pensioner Poverty
Originally Posted by
Julie1962
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Free prescriptions are only available to people on certain benefits, yes we get them for grace she is a child. While steven was off work I still worked so our benefits didn't entitle us to free prescriptions. Many people claim them thinking they are entitled but get fined when they realise they aren't. It's always a good idea to check first from one of the benefit sites.
When people say they worked hard for their pension I do wonder what they think rest of us have been doing. I even worked all but a month through my cancer treatment.
I see people as all worth the same no one better than another, therefore when they retire they should all get enough to live on. Not it become some poverty trap. If you want really unfair look at people who never work, they get their stamp paid and get a full pension. Those of us work but struggle get no such thing and get no pension at all.
Anyone working should get a pension IMO
I worked all my life, until I retired, and never claimed benefits but I have received free prescriptions for 35 years because I was diabetic...and this rule was applied to a number of different health problems but you have to have a medical exemption certificate! You could have applied for one to cover any drugs you needed for your cancer....perhaps this will help you understand it better !
https://petition.parliament.uk/petit...l_response=yes
People who have never worked get a state pension, because they have been unable to work... usually owing to health problems, under these circumstances the NI stamp will be paid for them as they are unable to work.
People who have worked and paid NI contributions do get a pension, which is relevant to the number of years between 10 & 35 that they have made these contributions. Perhaps you opted not to pay NI contributions when working, if you are not entitled to a pension on retirement.
It seems fair to me that, if you put nothing into the pension pot, why should you be allowed to take anything out?
My state pension is reduced by approx £1690 a year, but then I was given tax relief on my contributions to my works pension.....