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I have worked provided a roof over my families heads, on a low income but not low enough to get financial help, pay into a small pension, trying to keep the home looking nice, I need new carpets, new boiler, a car that is reliable to get me to and from work, but am informed I am not eligible for it, now if, I was on a benefit of some sort I would get it. It makes me so angry, I have written to the government and got a bog standard reply. I would dearly love to go on holiday but when I see people who are on benefits going to exotic places I get angry. People on benefits should not be allowed to travel abroad without investigation of where the funds have come from eg gifts etc. When I do retire, what will my future be - bleak

I am so upset by what the government are doing. If I had not worked,not payed my taxes,I will and would be better off. Where is the justice for the lower paid working class. I do not qualify for a boiler, which is antique, I have a old car that needs to be reliable to get me to and from work so that I can pay taxes. But what is the future for pensioners or people like me who are in their late 50's, on a small income, who have paid into a small pension - BLEAK - I am so so angry. As I have lived honestly, paid my way, being proud of what I have done over the years and will not be recognized by the government for doing WHAT IS PROPER!!!!!! By doing things morally correct will not pay the bills in the future. Look out government you will have a lot of deaths on your hands with hypothermia and suicidal pensioners. Or is that their plan. Work longer til you drop of die of cold and hunger.

Many women don't realise they can claim their state pension based on their husbands NI record, divorced or not. Having said that, it might take your pension just over the allowance , thus restricting any claim on pension credits, which means you may be a lot worse off after having to pay the almost full amount of your Council tax and would not be entitled to 'cold weather payments', should the need arise. Only those on benefits get the cold weather alllowance .

Apparently those on pension credits get a £10 Christmas bonus too. It does say those receiving state pension and pension credits, but so far I have not received a Christmas present from the government.
For those who are worried, a bit of joyful news. State pension should be increased by a whopping £2.97 per week next year.That should take us a little way to the increases in bills , or put it towards the increase in line rental for your landline, just incase some one should want to call and see how you are in the depths of winter and make sure you haven't frozen to the toilet seat.
Maybe get shut of the tv and internet. Some things have to go and deciding which is different for everyone.
Captain Oates had the right idea. Should we hold hands Angharad ?

I get the £10 Granny. I have the State pension but no pension credits.

Well maybe I have missed it somewhere Chris. Old age is a terrible thing ! Don't spend all yours at once, save some for a rainy day and a new umbrella

You are not old enough yet Granny.It all depends on your age in a certain week of the year.
https://www.gov.uk/christmas-bonus/eligibility

Is your pension paid into your bank, Granny? If so, it will appear as (your NI number) DWP XB. Usually about the beginning of December. I usually go crazy with mine and buy food.
Last year, mine appeared on 3 Dec. and on 20 Nov. I got the winter fuel payment (DWP WFP)

Yes Chris, into my bank acc. Probably missed it, as no longer have paper statements.
You could also be right Salmon; just to keep you guessing!

I've also just received notice that my £200 winter fuel payment is on the way. Yippee, more food: got my eye on some caviar and white truffles...if only I could afford some bread to go with them.

I agree with you, and some people go on about the bedroom tax. Life isnt fair for most people now, especially those that do the proper thing

Very good question in my opinion, most 25 years are told to put at least 400 pound a month away for their old age. Those on benefits who say they cant aford bedroom tax wouldn't put away that kind of money would they.

[quotew=missmahjong]Derek, i have worked all my life, will be getting my pension in 2 years time, i find it very 'annoying ' that i will pay a lot of tax because i intent to carry on working , eg 1 weeks wages will be spend on TAX ,also have had a small pension for the last 8 years, which will be taken into consideration as well....
Candyfloss, change the record.......it.s getting BORING same old.....[/qu

Whats getting boring? ?????????

I haven't received mine yet, but how does this sound Chris.... I buy Asda's Smartprice Med.White Sliced bread. Utter shoit but it's only 9/6d (47p in funny money). When we meet next week, I'll bring you half a loaf. It's what mates are for eh ??

If that's a clever attempt to get half my caviar and truffles: forget it.
Wow, 9/6 for a loaf of bread.

I really should do some digging about pensions. I was one of those contracted into SERPS as I worked in the NHS. Two years in, there was the pension overhaul and we were all advised to opt out and get a private pension instead. We were given a lump sum and another pension was arranged with the people who came to the Nurses' Home. I am damned if I can remember who the new pension was with, Norwich Union rings a bell as a few years into it, a lot of us got shares for free.

A few years after that, the share prices rocketed, so I sold them. Now I am wondering if I still have my pension as they are now Aviva. Trouble is, I wouldn't have the first clue of how to find out