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But we are not talking about the last few years, you gain your pensions over your working lifetime of 40+ years, if you choose a lifestyle that doesn't contribute much to pensions, you can expect less affluent pensions. We have a welfare catch system to ensure nobody gets nothing also no pensioner is entitled to less than an unemployed person gets and they have additional benefits over them.

Kids only need looking after for 16 years not your whole working life.

If you don't know all the ins and outs relating to your particular circumstance, it is best to talk with citizens advice.

A short-sighted response, what about parents aka 'carers' of disabled young people?

DD, i wish i lived in your utopian world. I am well aware of how pensions contributions work. Some lifestyles are not chosen, they can be an unfortunate sequence of events.
A healthy child may only need looking after for 16 years or so but those born with life changing ailments can mean a lifetime of care with very little assistance from the state. Sometimes no help at all. I hope you don't ever find yourself in a position through no fault of your own where you are unable to work and thus contribute to your personal pension, your eyes would be opened. Like i said, there are many reasons why you may not be able to get or afford a personal pension. You do a disservice to a lot of people with your sweeping comments.

Nothing utopian at all, I have been unable to contribute to a pension for years on end. I am currently living on less than an adult on JSA and not claiming any benefits or credits, I have chosen this lifestyle and consider myself comfortable.

Current effective minimum income for a pensioner is £148 a week, currently JSA is a minimum of £57.35 a week (£72.40 after age 25).

Before I get jumped on, although off-topic, I acknowledge from experience that unemployment is very much harder than what I am doing even though they have more effective income - that is why I have chosen to do as I do.

Once again, sweeping statements and assumptions. I am glad that you have made a life-style choice and are happy with it. Though I am confused as how being unemployed is harder than what you are doing and still have more effective income? There is more to it than published income levels, each individual has their own outgoings and some will have money at the end of the month while others will have month at the end of their money.
Don't believe everything that you read or see on Benefits Street. There are decent people out there who will never be out of diare straights because of personal circumstances. You are clearly fixed on your opinion, and I respect that, so I won't continue this with you DD. Maybe look for an alternative avenue to gripe about money going to undeserving such as why prisoners have such a comfy lifestyle with three meals a day, tv, heating a free healthcare. Respect.

Just as a matter of interest. Have a look at this to see cost of energy prices going back to 2013. Maybe mine doesn't seem so bad, considering I have grandchildren to stay or visit most weekends.
Don't get me wrong, I think the overall cost of energy is disgraceful, just hope Milliband keeps is promise should he get in, but I somehow think that may have been swept under the carpet now..


http://www.netmums.com/coffeehouse/...ld-14/954493-gas-electric-bills-all.html

I don't have television, I don't really know what Benefit Streets stated other than glancing past headline articles that have appeared.

I have not griped about money going to the undeserving.

I have not expressed my stance on pensions. I pointed out that enhanced pensions are generally contributory and that pensioners get more than the unemployed, they are simple facts and not my opinion.

Interestingly, while opposing my non-expressed "opinion", nobody has asked or knows my opinion - don't let facts get in the way of a good story eh?

As I seem to be the messenger getting shot for stating how things are, I will now leave the subject of pensions on this thread.

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/cold_homes_7/?bUZkFdb&v=55679

I think British Gas are playing jiggery pokery too.

About 6 months ago, running up to winter, I was told I had to pay £168 per month for gas (only gas). Basically I told them I couldn't and wouldn't. So continued to pay the same as I had. The next bill came in and I owed them nothing...yes nothing on the bill. I did contact them and they said they would reduce payments by £5 per month. Now I have had a metre reading and they have sent a summary for the next 12 months, which brings the price down by a further £30 per month.
What is going on ?? Fiddling would be a good word to use, but trying to figure out how it's being achieved.

Although the article linked to is a year out of date there has been no change in real terms that aids either pensioners or low income families.
There are currently 2.39 million households facing fuel poverty, where 10 per cent or more of their spending goes on energy bills

Read more: http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/...ving-energy-discounts.html#ixzz3V9joAh5S
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Energy giants are meant to give discounts to all poor pensioners. So why are so many telling us they've been turned away?


Read more: http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/...ving-energy-discounts.html#ixzz3V9iwI8RF

The more i learn about life,the more i realise any pension is a fund of money that can be legally robbed off you by each gov' that gets in.
Lets look at a great pension...firefighters (not private like blair brown robbed in the 90s)
So you pay 90 to 100 k in over 25/30 years so u can retire before you get sacked through being too old or unfit...
Labour make u sign to seal the deal in 2007,all sorted...then hey presto cameron changes policy to fit that theft.
Why bother to have one?? Its legal aswell its "legal policy change across the board" not advice from an fsa accountant that can be sued.
So my mates are trying to sue the gov for miss selling their own pension!!!
heres another angle ....u get paid off,you spend alot (your choice) then taxman rings u....come in and see us sir!!....
"Are u trying to make yourself will fully destitute sir?"
we might have to pay for your care!! (True story)
no im spending my hard earned retirement money!!
So you cant win.
we dont live in a democracy, its BS
The systems bent as a £3 note.
the tv showed just last night how money buys influence via mps ALL parties are funded by the city.
Thats the real power...

This government is also creating a problem that they will not address when questioned. They are making it so you can take some of your pension in a lump sum -:sounds great if you need the money now. What happens if the money gets squandered. Osborne states that that is being patronising but won't give an answer. The money could well be invested but even investments go wrong. I'm not saying that some people won't make a good job of looking after their own money. I would like to know what will happen to those who will not have money to live on simply because they either spend it or lose it. Will we have silver pavement surfers living in box city.

Anything this or any gov advises ,do the exact opposite!!
"Advisors" dont have a stake in your life or future .it goes pear shaped...theyre off with their fee.

[youtube]7zsi-g4JpvY[/youtube]

My beliefs are that the intention behind the idea is to enable parents or grandparents to get their children or grandchildren onto the housing ladder, to keep the housing market booming. That in itself will keep the financial institutions turning over, which is one of the things this country relies upon most of all.
Take now suffer later. The only drawback on that is, we could all end up having to live with our children or grandchildren, as they do in many countries in the European union now. All in it together....?