I won't get a full State Pension, because I didn't contribute for long enough [ retired early, too much time abroad earlier in career ], but I am happy with this. IMO the state pension should be for those that need it, not those who are well off.
On that basis, the logical assumption is that free medical care should only be for those who need it, and assistance for anything would be means tested.
When I worked in Holland, free health care was only for those bellow a certain income, as you earned more you contributed more. I think that is a fairer system.
How can you lie there and think of England When you don't even know who's in the team
I won't get a full State Pension, because I didn't contribute for long enough [ retired early, too much time abroad earlier in career ], but I am happy with this. IMO the state pension should be for those that need it, not those who are well off.
I concur. Why some folk can't say "pensioners" without putting the word "poor" in front of it is beyond me. Many pensioners are indeed poor and should get more help, but many "pensioners" are rich beyond the dreams of many younger folk. Old does not mean poor.
Do you not think that the 'lines' should be drawn then by the individual? Means testing in anything always causes grief. Given that we live in a technological age, surely it's not beyond the wit of Shaun to allow people to opt out (and in again as circumstances change) and even set values of benefits.
Do you not think that the 'lines' should be drawn then by the individual? Means testing in anything always causes grief. Given that we live in a technological age, surely it's not beyond the wit of Shaun to allow people to opt out (and in again as circumstances change) and even set values of benefits.
Not beyond the wit of Shaun, but almost certainly beyond the wit of Government to create a cost effective system which permits/enables quick and easy but also fraud proof systems to do so. I can't think of a single system initiated by Government which has actually done what it is proposed it will do.
My taxes go towards the pension payments of those in receipt now, just as those in work when I ( hopefully ) get my pension, will be paying mine.
The trouble with an opt in / out system is some will say: " I don't have kids, I don't want to pay for schools" or " I have private health care, I don't want to pay for the NHS"
As I've already said. Poor pensioners need help, Rich pensioners don't. Hopefully the money saved can be used to more fairly distribute monies. It's unsustainable to give all pensioners 8% payrises when virtually nobody else is getting anything like that.
I'm not sure how the system works in the UK, but if everyone pays into a system through their taxes or social security payments that then makes it a universal system and shouldn't be subject to a wealth check.How does it works there?
Here where I live to get a full pension you have to pay in for 47 years ( 45 for me as I completed 45 years payments before the increase to 47 years). The pension is then calculated on how many years you paid in. It reduces by 0.50% per month for every month less than 47 years.
The state pension here is not that great. A single persons pension is £11,500 per year and that's only If you've paid the full 45/47 years, apparently one of the lowest in Europe alongside the UK.
How much!?!?!?! 😲
A single state pension here for someone who retired pre 2016 is approx £7,160.
it works pretty much the same way as yours although I can’t remember how many qualifying years you have to do.
Wow, that's pretty low Dove. How can you live on that?
That said food costs run at about 30% higher than that of the UK from speaking with friends who liver there. Renting a 1 bedroom flat will cost you £12,000 a year here so the state pension wont even cover your rent.
'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.
The German health system was the first to provide national health care with everyone paying a contribution to the system since the 1880s. They've also had social insurance to pay those who can't work because of old age, disability and accidents since the later 1880s. They have recently added a levy to pay for elderly social care and homes. There is no postcode lottery for the kind of health care offered. Above a certain level of income you can opt out as long as you have private health care insurance.
Seems a lot fairer to me and more equitable for the poor and/or less able.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
My taxes go towards the pension payments of those in receipt now, just as those in work when I ( hopefully ) get my pension, will be paying mine.
The trouble with an opt in / out system is some will say: " I don't have kids, I don't want to pay for schools" or " I have private health care, I don't want to pay for the NHS"
I like that option but it's sadly far too late for me to opt out.
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On that basis, the logical assumption is that free medical care should only be for those who need it, and assistance for anything would be means tested.
I think that is a fairer system.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
Why some folk can't say "pensioners" without putting the word "poor" in front of it is beyond me.
Many pensioners are indeed poor and should get more help, but many "pensioners" are rich beyond the dreams of many younger folk.
Old does not mean poor.
Not beyond the wit of Shaun, but almost certainly beyond the wit of Government to create a cost effective system which permits/enables quick and easy but also fraud proof systems to do so. I can't think of a single system initiated by Government which has actually done what it is proposed it will do.
My taxes go towards the pension payments of those in receipt now, just as those in work when I ( hopefully ) get my pension, will be paying mine.
The trouble with an opt in / out system is some will say:
" I don't have kids, I don't want to pay for schools" or
" I have private health care, I don't want to pay for the NHS"
Wow, that's pretty low Dove. How can you live on that?
That said food costs run at about 30% higher than that of the UK from speaking with friends who liver there. Renting a 1 bedroom flat will cost you £12,000 a year here so the state pension wont even cover your rent.
'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.
George Bernard Shaw'
Seems a lot fairer to me and more equitable for the poor and/or less able.