I've just had to apply for my State Pension, when I worked out what I would get I was quite pleased, I've never had so much money! Looking forwards to the heating allowance, being able to keep warm for a change without worrying!
Shame I had to wait an extra 5 years and 7 months for it though! I think my health would not have suffered so much.

No, it means that the shortfall between the state earnings related benefit is made up by means tested benefits.

IMO there should not be a state age related benefit at all.

Instead means tested benefits should provide for the needs, not the wants but the needs, of those unable to provide for themselves.

Todger, You sound a real, ‘I’m alright jack’.

Todger, You sound a real, ‘I’m alright jack’.

The Government has responded to the petition you signed – “Link the state pension to the adult minimum wage £328.40p per week.”.

Government responded:

Government has no plans to link State Pension with National Minimum Wage. We want a decent, secure income for people in retirement, and will spend over £120 billion on pensioner benefits in 2019/20.

Comparisons made in this petition between other countries and the National Minimum Wage do not take into account the full package of measures available to support people in retirement. We are committed to ensuring economic security for people at every stage of their life, including when they reach retirement.

We spend over £120 billion on benefits for pensioners, including the £99 billion on the State Pension predicted for this year 2019/20. State pension spend is expected to increase from 5.0% of GDP in 2022-23 to 6.9% in 2067-68.

It is very difficult to make meaningful comparisons between pension schemes in different countries because there are so many fundamental differences in the way they are run. You have to look at the whole system, not just State Pension.

There are many other factors to take into account – different tax systems, different healthcare systems, different pension ages, cost of living, access to occupational pensions and the availability of other social security benefits, as well as the provision of services and goods free to pensioners or at concessionary rates.

This petition suggests linking the State Pension and the National Minimum Wage. The two have different purposes, and a direct comparison cannot be drawn. The National Minimum Wage is designed to protect low income workers and provide an incentive to work by ensuring that all workers benefit from as generous a wage as possible.

The Government introduced the Triple Lock and recommitted itself to it for the duration of this Parliament, guaranteeing that up to the full amounts of the basic and new State Pensions will rise by the highest of average earnings growth, price inflation, or 2.5%. As a result, the full yearly amount of the basic State Pension in 2019/20 is around £675 higher than if it had just been up-rated by earnings since April 2010. That’s a rise of over £1,600 in cash terms.

This Government has always acknowledged that it is important that a safety net exists for those pensioners who find themselves without an adequate income in retirement. Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit, paid for out of general taxation. It is made up of 2 parts: the Guarantee Credit, which tops up other income to a standard minimum level (for a single person this is currently £167.25 a week and for a couple £255.25) and, for those who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016, the Savings Credit, which is an extra amount for those who have made some additional provision for their retirement. The Government also continues to provide some non-means tested benefits for people in retirement.

In 2016, the Government introduced the new State Pension to provide a simpler, clearer and a sustainable foundation for private saving. With the new State Pension, people will know from a much younger age how much they’re likely to get, providing a solid base for their saving and retirement planning.

Department for Work and Pensions.

Ha! I don't get Winter Fuel allowance because I wasn't born before April 4th! September and October are qualifying months and I get my pension in November! Not sure if that means it's finishing or if I get it next year!