Is The UK State Pension Heading For Means Testing?

[@Kattyol1]

it might be something the government considers to save money, especially with rising costs everywhere

[@Andres_853]

I saw that too. Means testing would mean not everyone gets the pension, or it could reduce benefits if you have other income. It’s like they’re saying if you’ve worked hard, saved up, or have a private pension, you may not be entitled to as much

[@Sanchyfab]

That would be a huge shift. Right now, so many people rely on their state pension just to cover basics, and the idea of losing that, or having it cut down, could leave people really vulnerable.

[@Bigwilli123]

Especially when a lot of people built their retirement plans around that pension. It’s not easy to pivot at this stage. And you know, even those with savings or a private pension could be impacted, especially if things like inflation eat into their other income.

[@camela8445Mar]

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[@camela8445Mar]

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[@JohnInnocentSmyth]

means testing = punishing exactly the people who worked hardest, saved and invested diligently and contributed the most into the pension and general taxation revenue. While who will benefit are exactly the people who never cared.

[@kw8757]

Thats what socialism is all about, punish those who do the right thing and reward the dregs of society who piss it up the wall for 50 years.

[@blackadder1966]

Its always the same the harder you work, save and invest the less you get. Those never contributing will receive the most benefits. It never takes into consideration lifestyle choices of those that waste money.

[@stuartregan1627]

Means Testing = Civil service job creation scheme. It save no money because administration costs are astronomical. Just what the country needs, more highly paid civil service jobs on gold plated pensions. The Whitehall Civil servants are pushing the means testing agenda because theres a gravy train of thousands of jobs. Yes minister politics of jobs for the boys .

[@Desmond.TuTu.]

That’s labour for ya …..

[@Stuart-f2m]

Means Testing = Civil servants job creation scheme ..Just whatwe. Need thousands of highly paid Civil servants to investigate 13 million pensioners bank accounts & lifestyle . Yes Minister politics to spend billions on what Michael gove calls the blob & this will save money lol lol.. No it will just inflate the Government payroll. Jobs for the boys

[@Misiu223]

Those of us who have paid into a state pension all our lives should be entitled to receive it. Removing that entitlement is a betrayal

[@aliengrey6052]

No! It’s fraud. I want my contributions back.

[@joysynmonds9082]

Anything is probable with Labour !!!

[@janicelewin447]

Can’t means test something you have been paying in all your working life this government needs to go

[@rowanjohnstone9524]

we haven't been paying into anything, we have been paying older people's pensions. There is no pot

[@aliengrey6052]

@@rowanjohnstone9524 wrong. Our payments may have been used to pay older people’s pensions because previous governments were helping themselves to the pot. But essentially we were told it was for our pensions. Plenty of billions for Ukraine and illegals but nothing for us. We are the highest taxed country on the planet and the revenues are mind boggling but the problem is our governments are spending far beyond their means like gambling addicts who keep coming back for more and more.

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[@davidgray3321]

MPs have fabulous pensions , I a, sure they will not change that .

[@frankcousins7655]

When does all the reforms they make ever affect MPs

[@Stuart-f2m]

Open cheque book for public pensions

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[@Wilson-pw]

Am 58 retiring next year but the thought of retirement gives me weakness. My apologies to everyone who have retired and filing social security during this time after putting in all those years of work just to lose everything to a problem you never imagined to happen. It’s so difficult for people who are retired and have no savings or loved ones to fall back on.

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[@andrewmossop6241]

46 years of contributions, denied my holidays to save. Disgusting. The challenges are mismanagement!

[@mountbattenstgeorge6008]

The problem was created when North Sea oil along with the peace time dividend revenues and defence spending cuts savings were not partly directed into a sovereign wealth fund which could have enabled a well funded pension scheme. The decisions of governments many pensioners now voted for created this problem. Numerous governments since the 80s have been aware of the situation. Yet they have raised public spending to facilitate the spending gap. The problem now is snowballing out of control. Unfortunately a tough and harsh reality check needs to happen. Unfortunately our politicians do not have the balls to do it. So id rest assured, despite most pensioners taking out way more than they ever contributed, despite the voting record of many pensioners which in part led us to this point and despite that millions of young people can’t afford to rent let alone have a family and are burdened with ever increasing taxation and costs. You pensioners will still get your free money, paid for by generations whom will probably never retire. Enjoy it! You really didn’t earn it! But thanks for the mess countless generations have inherited!

[@andrewmossop6241]

@@mountbattenstgeorge6008 I won't be getting any free money, they told me so, so, I am shutting my business down.

[@mountbattenstgeorge6008]

@ good luck

[@SteveBriggs-j3o]

8 million a day in hotel costs, sod this lot off home.

[@igorsagdeev7881]

In the same small boats they came in. That's the only deterrent.

[@teessideman.8253]

👏👏👏

[@lupin8750]

8 million is pennies in the context of government finances

[@Cassp0nk]

@@lupin8750well then they won’t mind not taxing me?

[@JohnInnocentSmyth]

@@Cassp0nk i do assume most of us pay less than 8 million on income tax every year :D maybe these pennies could be ignored by his majesties revenue and customs?

[@andystreet4022]

The Civil Servants who are discussing these changes won't face any hardship. They are amongst the highest value Gold Plated pensions available in the UK.

[@TomTomicMic]

.......for now, they are part of a two trillion black hole and will be axed also it's unaffordable!?!

[@stuartregan1627]

This is why they are desperate to means test pensions . Brand new department with thousands of jobs to spy on pensioners bank accounts.. Jobs for the boys .

[@Stuart-f2m]

Why do they get Db pensions if there's no money in the kitty ? 2 taxpayers funded pensions

[@molecatcher3383]

People will stop paying into private pensions and blow the money on holidays and cars.

[@RadiantStar8997]

Not so much anymore.

[@ianjones8406]

Means test it. You remove any incentive for people to contribute into a private or company pension.

[@stuartregan1627]

​@@PoseidonOilRig What happens when everyone decides not to work ? The incentives to work would be the loss of your state pension. Not very bright .

[@stuartregan1627]

@@PoseidonOilRig Thousands on the skive now claiming that cant work & choose not to . Gen Z are all on the sick claiming mental health ya Numpty . You think all the people claiming now ain't getting a state pension ? It's more likely these will get the state pension but people that work wont because they have money from working. So the obvious conclusion would be dont work & get everything for free like the dolescroungers.

[@sandradavies7804]

@@PoseidonOilRig They do at the moment.

[@Stuart-f2m]

​​@@sandradavies7804 What like the Government stops the lazy workshy now lol lol lol . Yeah we all see people choose life on benefits everyday .This will make it 10 x worse

[@ronaldadams8218]

hang on a minute, most people in their 70s now I’ve paid an average of 49 years into the system and we’ve All the previous kept all the previous pensioners, It is the way the governments have not put aside funds which is main is the problem to pay for our present situation

[@ozmunky]

If I dont get my state pension, then pay me back all the NICs .....

[@helenbell6179]

This money is taken from our wages with a promise of a pension when we retire. It is not a benefit to hand out to everyone, it is what is owed to those who paid in. To withold or means test is theft.

[@davidborrow3435]

Real slippery slope these government parties . You will never be forgiven if you take from pensioners to pay for your badly handled management over the last 40 years.

[@philipcovell3272]

Seems pointless saving for retirement unless you can save a lot, otherwise buy gold and do not tell the government so you can get the pension you paid for.

[@Stuart-f2m]

Gold & bitcoin are not means tested so is none of the Government's business. It would be impossible to track & this is why they don't do it . Perfectly legal though & worth doing if its means tested.

[@Stuart-f2m]

Great advice .

[@peterlloyd6337]

As we all know it is not a benefit the state pension. I've paid 47 years NI well over the min. Take it away and I want a refund plus interest thank you

[@clivegeary4587]

@peterlloyd6337 Please check. The state pension has been classed as a benefit for some years now (it also really annoys me)

[@fanfeck2844]

@@clivegeary4587benefit is just a word. The NI act states you would get an array of benefits in exchange of your payment, not might get

[@kinggeoffrey3801]

​@@clivegeary4587just because the corrupt government claim it as a benefit doesn't make it true.

[@dabe1971]

@@clivegeary4587 In fact it's *ALWAYS* been a benefit ever since retirement was identified as a need requiring a benefit by the Beveridge Report in 1942 and the National Insurance Act that actually implemented it in 1946. Nothing has changed.

[@clivegeary4587]

@dabe1971 You can look it up on the government website. Annoying, I know. But the state pension has for some years now been classed as a benefit. Fact.

[@Greggspies]

MP's should lose theirs

[@butlerpa100]

Eliminate gold plated public service final salary pensions and it becomes very affordable for the hard working people who have paid in for their whole life. The system is biased in favour of public servants

[@igorsagdeev7881]

Public masters, actually.

[@petersimpson633]

What final salary pensions? They went over ten years ago. Do try to keep up. It's Career average revalued pension now...btw plenty of jobs in public service if you think pensions are good. Teaching, prisons, NHS, social workers, armed forces all recruiting

[@stuartregan1627]

Gold plated pensions open cheque book

[@randybackgammon890]

Yes and MPs pensions are the worst culprits of all

[@jackiedixon2340]

How about pay MP,s the same pension as everyone else instead of £100k a year,that would save the country millions if not billions.

[@Isherwoodsounds]

It is not a benefit . We paid in for years. People are dieing younger now. A lot of my family paid in and died before they got a state pension. Where is that money.

[@Ukmongoose3]

Yes! Dont believe the bullshit about it being a benefit. If you don’t pay in throughout your life, you don’t get it. Therefore, NOT a benefit. Monsters rule our world, wake up before its too late.

[@kw8757]

Where is that money? Let's start with the billions wasted each year on illegal immigrants.

[@tancreddehauteville764]

Technically it IS a benefit, because NI, though used as a measuring stick for state pension entitlement, is not a ringfenced fund for the state pension.

[@thomasmcdonald5542]

The term "benefit" has been used in legislation to describe the state pension since the 1946 National Insurance Act. The Pensions Act 2014 also classifies the new state pension as a benefit under Section 1(1)

[@clivegeary4587]

Yes, the UK State Pension is considered a benefit. It is a regular payment from the government that most people can claim when they reach State Pension age

[@radiantinred]

I agree with your analysis Carl but.... 1. What percenatge of GDP is used to pay for civil service / govt employee pensions. Is that sustainable ? 2. For 40 years polititions have told us that NI was not Income Tax ... we all knew it was. Their "lie" is not undoable.

[@petenicholson3318]

Precisely. They'll have to scrap N.I. and just call the lot income tax. State pension becomes a benefit.

[@Banthah]

I’m fine with a means tested pension. Can I have my NI contributions back please? 🤷‍♂️

[@adrianlloyd6403]

Yes please all NI contributions plus interest.

[@Andeecee]

Zero chance of a refund.

[@petenicholson3318]

They're gonna treat our N.I. contributions just like our income tax funds those on benefits. We have to contribute - but might not ever benefit. They're treating the state pension as a benefit

[@igorsagdeev7881]

Already spent on the chavs and the small boat arrivals

[@adrianlloyd6403]

@@Andeecee That's what happens with Ponzi schemes like NI.Madoff went to prison for his scheme....something unlikely you can do with the whole political establishment for the last one hundred years.

[@robwillett4960]

The Irish state pension for people who have paid in is NOT means tested. It is only means tested for people who have NOT paid it.

[@Stuart-f2m]

Yeah 100% correct .

[@chrisj6321]

​@@Stuart-f2mthat's how should be. Australian system ab immigrant who arrives and works 5 years say will get a full pension as long as they don't have too many assets. U don't have to have payed tax for 20 30 years

[@Stuart-f2m]

Gee 5 years only & they get a full pension. Maybe this is why the 3rd world are arriving on dinghy s daily. UK citizens have to work a minimum of 10 years to get anything at all & 35 to get the full state pension. I need to get to France & join the boat people ASAP.

[@Andeecee]

Can you imagine the governments in, say, France, Spain etc trying to bring this in? There’d be absolute anarchy! Here in the UK we’d probably allow it to happen though.

[@waynekerrr9027]

I think you'll find the same will happen here if they do that...look what happened with the poll tax introduction

[@merlinhotspurs]

How about cutting the money we pay to China and India and controlling legal and illegal immigration

[@igorsagdeev7881]

@@merlinhotspurs Is there any money paid to China? I doubt that. The Dearest Commonwealth Family is a different matter. :)

[@albeyl3859]

I have 49 years of contributions taken out my pay weekly I and millions more have paid theirs so why are our pensions going to be means tested . The government has had our money invested in the private sector and taken the profits from our contributions .

[@waynekerrr9027]

Im only 55, but will retire now, and live off my savings for 12 years...when i get to 67, I'll have very little savings, and the savings i do have leftover, will be in hiding.. Therefore i will be entitled to full state pension....People will be forced into doing the same..

[@kinggeoffrey3801]

That's what I will do if I make it to 58 or whatever it will be to draw my SIPP.

[@rowanjohnstone9524]

exactly! people will manipulate the system, wonder why Australia's are not doing the same? I think there must be more to this 🤔

[@waynekerrr9027]

It's certainly not use , using banks, where the government can see what you've got, so they can penalise everyone

[@sopissedoff]

Just be careful ,it's 67 now it could be 70 in 12 years time

[@TheDavecroft]

So you will spend all the money you invested and saved in order to live on £12,000 a year from the state when you get to age 67? Good luck.

[@grumblewoof4721]

Our state pensions are by no means generous compared to other countries and represent only half of what a person actually needs to live above the poverty line. I would struggle to live and pay my bills on my DB and DC pensions that I have built up over 50 years of hard work and I would starve and/or freeze if I only had my state pension to live on. I need the state pension. My current income with DB, DC and state pension is under the minimum wage. I also pay tax on this income as well as council tax, vat and other costs such as insurances and utilities. Energy costs are eyewatering. 30% of my income evaporates before I buy food or heat.

[@ysb844]

8 years is the average people take their pension. the whole thing is a joke

[@teessideman.8253]

👏👏

[@Benzknees]

Where do you get that figure from? The ONS states that life expectancy at 65 is 18.6yrs for males & 21.1yrs for females.

[@magpie1492]

I don't think so. I work on a medical ward. Considering I care for those who are not the healthiest in old age. Most of my patients are in their 80s/90s and increasingly, we see 100 year olds. These are not the fit and active elderly.

[@utube999ify]

They need to sort out public pension first

[@pamelsims2068]

I have no problem about means testing the state pension...... as long as I get the money back that I paid in.

[@mikesmith2315]

No incentive to work in the UK, nor to save or invest. If you make good money, buy gold and bitcoin.

[@Johng56]

Gold up 12% in last 3 months the penny's dropping with people now that government don't have their interest at heart

[@andrewtaylor6737]

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[@stuartregan1627]

No money would be saved as people wouldnt save & if saving was compulsory they wouldn't work either .

[@Michael-r2c8k]

It is not a benefit, it is a right

[@tomfairnie7453]

If any government tries to means test the state pension there will not only be an outcry but litigation. Payment made to a state pension through national insurance contributions demand a pension in line with contributions made. Imagine a private scheme deciding to means test it's distributions. Means testing would be tantamount to theft on a grand scale. Court actions would follow and the public would win.

[@albeyl3859]

I was informed that i had to have 33 years of contributions to receive a full state pension I had 49 years so they have taken 16 years of my contributions to pay for other people to have a pension and now they have the cheek to want to means test our pensions . We now live in a dictatorship and democracy is dead and buried and they killed Sadam Husain and Gadaffi because they were called dictators.

[@Stuart-f2m]

Taking money under false pretences is fraud .End of

[@Josie-w6x]

This is crystal ball stuff. General health is reducing and people are dying younger. Who decides what is wealthy,? This could also kill what little there is left of a saving culture. I doubt the Govt would reduce individuals tax burden so the money would just be wasted elsewhere.

[@Stuart-f2m]

People would be Working & saving to deliberately deprive themselves of the state pension. The harder they worked. The less pension they would get . This. Clearly isn't gong to fly , people aren't stupid enough are they ?

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[@ericwilliams2317]

There really will be riots if they do this, mark my words!

[@shaunukhiking]

unfortunately all the rioters will be old and easy for the police to vanquish.

[@stuartregan7219]

I fully agree . The rioters could be sent to Rwanda

[@andypandy9931]

Well how can the working population be declining with immigration being at the level it is, so we are importing pensioners. It would be totally unfair to those of us who have paid NI and serps for 50 years and been careful with our money saving into a private pension.

[@patmartin9727]

Totally agree at 73 I am still working part time and paying tax on both my salery and my pension. I was one of the WASPI women who didn’t receive my state pension at 60 as I had always been led to believe I would. I have lost my winter fuel payment because I have always worked so can’t claim pension credits. At 75 I will not receive a free TV licence , I pay the full amount for my dentist and opticians fie the same reason while I see others in my age group and younger who have all these things handed to them free because they never paid into the system. This government seems to have it in for the pensioners and the hard working people of this country.

[@kw8757]

@@patmartin9727 Labour hate all working class white people, but they despise the elderly, you have my sympathy.

[@tancreddehauteville764]

@@kw8757 They hate all white people, not just working class ones.

[@fanfeck2844]

Exactly!

[@charlespope9342]

This is a problem any government will face. Hence, eligible age has gone up already. NI has always been ridiculous as it is just income tax, but no government has been prepared to really sort it out for obvious political reasons. I think it's unlikely means testing will come in for some time.

[@teessideman.8253]

Some how the uk government has to pay for a.ll the dingy scroungers & those who choose to to live a life on BENIFITS.? 🤔

[@kaylaing-m7h]

Hi Carl, thank you so much for taking the time to make videos for your YT channel. Have found them incredibly helpful. Some I take a few days to watch because there is so much to digest and understand. Thanks to you, my partner and I had a civil partnership recently, to keep our affairs in order. This state pension malarky does worry us. If and when it does go ahead, there likely to be a mass exodus of pensioners (living in 3rd world countries supposedly a lot cheaper than UK). Maybe that is what the Govt wants! Afterall, if pensioners relocate abroad, it will result in less demand on the health service, and care sector and frees up homes.

[@carlrobertsifa]

Thank you so much for your kind feedback.

[@Cheryl-q7m]

That means people who have never done a days work in their life will receive the state pension and those who have worked all their lives and saved will not. Is that fair?

[@Stuart-f2m]

If means testing happens there will be alot more people not doing a day's work as the incentive to work is ZERO

[@leobrown6875]

What is the point of working hard or at all just live like the dole and refugees and get everything for nowt .this country is fooked

[@Howie57]

After paying in, its a right....its not a benefit!. I fear for my grandchildren. .

[@Hanlonsrazor123]

Its already means tested to some extent. Anyone with a private pension over £12500 will start paying 20% income tax when they receive the state pension and 40% with a private pension over £50270.

[@stringbok]

Exactly spot on

[@SandyHoustoun]

Unless you live in Scotland when you pay 42% 0ver £43600

[@worldofameiso5491]

I worked out recently how much NI I have paid in the last 46 years: £120,000. Any chance of having that back?

[@igorsagdeev7881]

Nope. The jolly chav families have consumed it, and now the money is desperately needed to house the beauties coming in small boats.

[@waynekerrr9027]

@@worldofameiso5491 what a lovely person you are, contributing to all the future doctors and surgeons coming across from France on a daily basis...Mr Starmer says Thank you 😂

[@TheDavecroft]

Yes, certainly. If you've paid in £120,000 you'll get it back in 10 years or less when you retire, because the State Pension is almost £12,000 a year. Live longer than 10 years in retirement and you will be quids in. At your age none of this is going to affect you.

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[@hariowen3840]

And since when did politicians worry about any 'backlash' - especially from old aged pensioners.

[@albeyl3859]

it wont only be pensioners it will be everybody because it will effect every person in this country what ever age .

[@hariowen3840]

@@albeyl3859 Especially does not mean only - does it!!!

[@petersimpson633]

Pensioners vote

[@hariowen3840]

@@petersimpson633 And how will that affect anything in today's generic politics situation.

[@michaelbarton8379]

The first thing people should do is stop calling the state pension a ‘benefit’. It’s not.

[@aficio698]

I agree with you 💯% however in 2016 it was reclassified legally. Retrospect means testing will cause a mass uprising. This is not acceptable

[@RobCLynch]

​@@aficio698I hope so. Because we British tend to just moan about the weather

[@aliengrey6052]

@@michaelbarton8379 it most definitely is not a benefit. I’ve payed into mine for 50yrs.

[@aficio698]

@@RobCLynch I think this is so big a deal it will become a poll tax moment. Personally I am preparing to go to prison as I cannot predict my actions. Paid in for 48 years.

[@TheDavecroft]

Just because you say it doesn't make it right. It IS a benefit, fact.

[@macchiatomachiato]

in which case stop paying national insurance now

[@TheDavecroft]

Why exactly? It also contributes to the NHS and other public benefits like sick pay and universal credit. Don't you want those either?

[@Stuart-f2m]

Reduce Ni for people that want that money directed into a private pension would be a better idea

[@grahambetteridge1441]

They need to stand up to the public sector before this is even discussed

[@teessideman.8253]

👏👏👏

[@Benzknees]

And cut the red tape that keeps loads of staff in non-jobs, like a lot of the 720,000 admin staff in the NHS.

[@ParcBlondel]

The public sector pay their own pensions. Teachers (and their employers) pay something like 32% of their wages into the Teachers pensions fund.....

[@Benzknees]

@@ParcBlondel - 28.6% is the current local authority pension contribution, funded by Council Tax payers who will be lucky to get 10% paid by their employer into their private pension.

[@ParcBlondel]

@@Benzknees Thankyou.

[@Contentibus]

Starmer sets his own pension rules.

[@igorsagdeev7881]

@@Contentibus The dull lawyer will be doing well in retirement! As will his chav deputy and the spreadsheet dummy from No 11

[@christinedavey7793]

My children have been paying tax for 20 years so far I will be so angry if they stop their pensions. If they are going to stop the pensions , they will have to let the people know so that they can start saving up for thereself But they cannot stop if you already been paying tax . If they stop it , they will have to refund all the tax money that they have been paying in to it.

[@normanchristie4524]

It is already means tested....it is called Income Tax.

[@Beefeater1234]

This will force people with a good retirement pot to take their money from the bank and hide it under the bed.

[@stuartregan1627]

Yeah or buy non means tested assets like gold , bitcoin or bank it offshore

[@badlad8361]

There would be riots on the streets!

[@Johng56]

I think they will ive said it for years now, iam now retiring early because of the way this country is run, blow my cash come 67 will make sure they give me MY MONEY

[@TheDavecroft]

Good luck living on £12,000 a year.

[@pf844]

It’s not your money ! It’s been spent on pensioners !

[@Stuart-f2m]

Spend it before the Government steal it though means testing . Many more like. You I think .

[@Stuart-f2m]

​@@TheDavecroft Better living on 12K a year & spending your money how you want than saving for retirement so the Government can steal it all then.

[@stuartregan7219]

No don't Retire , YOUR life Savings you've worked 50 years for are needed to pay for all the dolescroungers as you can be dam sure they will get the state pension. Saving for Retirement would be officially dead ...RIP

[@peterrogers3085]

This would be a great way to start a brain drain in the UK

[@Stuart-f2m]

This would be a great way to get everyone on benefits. Work too hard & you get your state pension cancelled. Errrr pass

[@markrobinson6510]

We should be able to receive it when we have paid in irrespective of your financial position. Otherwise a lump sum should be given to those who have paid in. They tax us enough. Australia means test theirvstate pensions BUT THEY DONT HAVE INHERITANCE TAX why should we be punished twice?

[@richardc3194]

Means testing would reduce the incentive to work or to contribute to a private pension. Why pay into a private pension if that means that you would lose your state pension?

[@warpedweft9004]

that's the case in Australia but we have no choice. The government makes sure the 11.5% is taken from our wages before we get them, even though that money goes into private super. Then when we retire, they reduce our pension based on the amount we have in super and what assets we've accumulated over a lifetime, except the family house, but if you have a house, the asset limit is lower, so there is a financial penalty for owning your own home.

[@Stuart-f2m]

Work too much .. sorry no pension. Easy solution , don't work or save & live off benefits & get everything for free like the boat people .

[@warpedweft9004]

@@Stuart-f2m that's fine if they don't change the rules on you, but since you can't trust them not to, the only thing you can rely on is yourself.

[@Stuart-f2m]

​@@warpedweft9004 The trouble with relying on yourself I'd the Government will say you don't need the state pension despite paying in for 50 years.

[@warpedweft9004]

@@Stuart-f2m in Australia they already do but if you don't provide for yourself there is no guarantee that by the time you get there that state funded pensions will even exist.

[@cazw179]

A big number AREN’T living longer though. Most of us won’t even reach retirement age…we will be dead.

[@steveglover5032]

As usual. You do the right thing and invest in a works/private pension and you get punished. So wrong.

[@privateHandle731]

Wonderful insight that changes would take years to implement if means testing introduced, so would have small political benefit but huge political costs for the current govt. never thought of that before!

[@jenlong8568]

We should not be penalised for last youngsters.

[@grantmail4112]

In 20 years, the age for retirement will be 85

[@juliaw7533]

It won't because old people will just say FU mate.

[@kevinnorthfield5097]

In 20 years there will be no retirement. Work till you drop.

[@paulwilliams5013]

If there any jobs!​@@kevinnorthfield5097

[@Stuart-f2m]

Everybody will be on the sick

[@hariowen3840]

Trade description violation NI (National Insurance) If a private insurance company removed some of the benefits initially signed up to mid term - the book would be thrown at them.

[@leobrown6875]

Get civil servants to pay their own like I do .or get the government to buy mine. I have paid in for 38 years

[@thomasanderson4127]

People who have paid into the system to receive one of the lowest pensions in any country the only way they can stop paying is to remove the need to pay into the system,this would take decades to achieve,if you are insinuating that they could means test people’s income,savings in the next few years would lead to civil war,because the government is giving money to other countries they need to fleece pensioners,this would also lead to no one paying into a private pension,it’s not happening soon if ever.

[@igorsagdeev7881]

Well, Bharat needs money for their space program! 😅

[@Pondjumper1]

Absolute disgrace… so as a higher earner you already pay more in NI contributions (% of a higher salary), lose your tax free allowance and you now don’t even get the same basic pension but get penalised for good life choices like investing in your private pension and saving all your life?

[@petersimpson633]

It's already clawed back in part via the tax system. This is just speculation

[@chrisking5355]

They could try....it wouldn't end well

[@DavidCowey]

Hi I’ve been living in Australia since 1986 it’s different over here with the pension system. We don’t pay into a government pension fund not like the uk. The employer over here pays into your superannuation scheme while you are employed with the company. The government over here taxes you for a Pension but if you are over the amount of the means test limit. You get nothing off the government. Even thou you have paid taxes to support a pension that you will never get. In my case I’ve paid for my uk pension every year I’ve been over here in Australia. Through transfers from my bank to the Department of works and pensions and they excepted my money towards my uk pension.

[@kw8757]

My brother went to work abroad years ago and didn't keep up his NI for his state pension....he could have the last laugh yet.

[@palmtree-e2l]

@@kw8757 the best thing for young people is to move abroad and not bother keeping up with NI and put that money into a private pension for themselves.

[@MrTpain1945]

My parents contributed all their lives to the state pension and never got to draw it

[@m1b124]

When the state pension was introduced in the UK in 1946, the life expectancy of a 65 year old was 13 more years. Today, the life expectancy is about 19 more years at 65. In the UK the state pension age is 66 and due to change to 67. It seems the qualifying age is too low and should be 71 to cover today’s life expectancy.

[@Stuart-f2m]

Life expectancy has fallen since 2020 . Plain facts .

[@stevemcintyre7530]

People forget that state pensions are not a burden on taxpayers - they are an inter-generational transaction where one generation supports the one before. It was Thatcher who broke that concord and drove the rise of self-funded individual pensions.

[@beaky29]

I’ve already paid enough years in contributions to entitle me to a full pension, yet I still have a further 12 years almost until I can claim it. Why should I continue to pay my contribution?????

[@johnneilson190]

Where has all the money we paid into NI for retirement gone then.? It should have been put aside but like every thing else it has been spent I presume.And look how much tax they rake in with amount of cars on the roads.

[@celibin09]

Although it is costing the younger generation now with the fallimg birthrate there will be fewer people of pension age when they retire

[@igorsagdeev7881]

There will be a lot of small boat people

[@evelynhillier2877]

​@igorsagdeev7881 who will produce a higher birth rate

[@juliehall7476]

If they don’t give me mine & I’ve paid in over 42 years, then I want my money back! I am entitled to it, there are people who have fond stuff all for it. 🤬🤬 I’ve paid everything for everyone, kids education, job seekers allowance etc etc. If they do this, why would anyone bother??

[@follystone]

Would be interesting to know how UK gov could or how e.g. Aus gov does: prevent someone close to retirement gifting all savings & investments to a trusted younger relative such as an adult-child & then receiving regular gifts back from that person. Seems like an obvious get-out for families that have good relationships.

[@stewartforsyth-i6e]

Life expectancy as now reversed with people not! living longer for the first time especially in women because the retirement age has risen

[@Stuart-f2m]

Ready to be deleted ? Hard facts don't fit the narrative.

[@AnnieG785]

So if your works pension is rubbish say 5k but you went without when you were working to put savings aside for retirement to pay for house repairs ,possibly a car and a holiday etc.. and you then find out you are expected to live off those savings who pays for the things that your savings were supposed to cover. It’s just ridiculous!!

[@skwoogy6457]

Means testing but those in the Public sector will be exempt 🤬

[@philipcovell3272]

well said

[@Stuart-f2m]

100% The Civil servants milking the well of public money will continue to milk the well .

[@stepup898]

yeah but that 124 billion goes back into the economy is taxed (fuel duty and vat etc.) and creates jobs paying more tax and n.i. contributions.

[@doloreswylie3067]

Means tested…..I’ll support that when Starmer gives up his Tax Free Pension.

[@rankinr]

I would riot. I have been paying NI for nearly 40 years on the sole premise I will be given a state pension at the end of it. If they took my pension away, there will be blood

[@Johng56]

Watch you don't get 3 years jail time for that

[@TheDavecroft]

Funny that. I paid NI not just to get a small state pension, but also to help fund a 'free' health service, unemployment benefit if I lost my job, and sickness benefits if I got ill. I don't expect my car insurance company to give me my money back if I don't crash my car, so why should anyone expect their NI money back? It is National INSURANCE, after all.

[@explorer806]

Speculation

[@blackadder1966]

I'm certain it will become means tested, when is the question. I'd gladly give up my gov pension in return for a rebate for money paid into the state pension. Then that paid into my private pension which would be then a tax free income set to a max or whatever your working income was.

[@johnmoorcroft8226]

if you smoke drink don't work and live of the government and council you will get a state pension. if you work hard save and don't waste our money, you will get nothing, HA HA Ha

[@bobbytodd8725]

You have to remember that yes Australia means tests the state pension but all retirees have access to superannuation which was paid for by their employer at 11% per year of salary. The UK would need to bring in something similar

[@lasantame]

Excellent analysis of this emotive issue.

[@wivory81]

The National Insurance system was a social contract between the Government and the people. Any political party who reduces or takes away peoples state pension will be committing political suicide, they can say goodbye to ever being elected again. There will be riots in the streets, and it probably won’t only be the pensioners of today. Young people don’t have the opportunity to join a defined benefits pension scheme, and employer contributions to stakeholder schemes are in some cases derisory, so the young will rely on the state pension as a top up. Woe betide any Government tinkering with state pension rules.

[@tikaanipippin]

What is National Insurance for, and why have governments, past and present, not managed this to provide for future pensions?

[@kw8757]

Only fools fall for the lie that NI is a separate tax to pay for state pension, NHS, disability benefits etc. It just goes into general taxation to be squandered with the rest. They say it's a special payment to make you feel better about paying income tax twice.

[@fanfeck2844]

Wasters by the looks of things

[@stuartregan1627]

Wasters get the get pension , workshy get the pension but if you've worked too hard then no pension.

[@kw8757]

@@stuartregan1627 It’s called socialism and it stinks.

[@williamthompson4389]

So it sounds as though my contribution into the Natural Insurance system for the best part of half a century was all a waste of time. The solution is clearly to cross the Channel in a rubber dinghy and then you are accommodated comfortably and don't have to worry about being robbed of your fuel allowance or your savings and investments over many years!

[@barados2006]

This is all speculation at the moment. people wouldn't buy there own home, or save.

[@waynekerrr9027]

@@barados2006 exactly...Don't save anything..and you'll be entitled to everything

[@bernieklfc1]

Most Politicians couldnt manage a household budget let alone a nations finances all they do is look for more and more taxation.. As for means testing the state pension if theyve taken the money they need to pay the pension not look at the lowest common denominator as articles like this do.As a nation were already well down the list of state pension payments.

[@CB-fz3li]

I wouldn't worry, no government would dare.

[@pamelsims2068]

It makes sense to change the system for people who have not retired yet...... with a ten year overlap to allow for adaption for those approaching retirement age. But most working people based their retirement planning on their works pension AS A SUBSIDY to bulk out the State pension. It is not right to muck around with existing ex-working pensioners

[@barriewilliams4526]

I'm 87, can they hang on for a while😧

[@albeyl3859]

nice one barry lol

[@Neil-y3p]

Take my pension I won’t pay anymore tax and millions like me will stand next to me

[@johnwhitcher4761]

When you have paid into a system for 40 years + you would expect to get it when you retire, this is a right but this Gov. Now call it a benifit is the NHS also a benifit will we also have to means test us to get treatment in the near future.

[@stuartregan7219]

There's no pot of money for health so they could means test that ? There's no pot for education so could they means test education for your children ? Means testing just means , take money off the people that bothered to work & save . If in the future working & saving is rewarded with your state pension cancelled I can Guarantee that a lot of people won't work or save as the incentives for both are zero . Carl says means testing is a good way to target people who need it , so basically dolescroungers & people that waste all their money get it .