EAccess to State Pension for men and women over 60

The WHO puts those at higher risk from Covid 19 from age 60.

Here in Scotland we have seen an.increase in State Pension Age for women raised from 60 to 66 and men are now denied their previous access to Pension Credit from 60 and are now facing a rise in their State Pension to 66.

Despite recent improvements in life expectancy in Scotland we are now seeing it halt and decreases in Healthy Life Expectancy which I believe are linked to state pension age rises and will become evident soon.

A State Pension which many of my cohort contributed to since the age of 15 was on the understanding it would provide a Universal Basic Income in old age. Our accompanying investments and occupational pensions were on that basis.

We are now seeing citizens in a no man's land where they cannot afford to retire and are blocking posts for younger generations, or if they do retire without the accompanying state pension income are supplementimg this with trickle incomes often on zero hour, bank or other insecure contracts.

This has become very evident during the Pandemic.

The general public have now had first hand experience of losing planned income with no notice, as happened to many WASPI women.

Many in their 60s have testified are terrified, having to work on in the very front line with co morbidities, but ineligible for support such as SSP or furloughing.

The effect on their well-being and mental health will be long term.

These men and women have done their bit and deserve the choice of whether or not to work on.

My idea is to allow the over 60s access to their State Pensions now.

The socio-economic benefits are evident.

The local high street was dying, Giving an income to this cohort would help support the local economy.

Many over 60s are in IT poverty or unfamiliar with the technology.

We will be facing a new normal post pandemic and if we allowed this cohort to voluntarily retire or work flexibly we could have real succession planning, releasing jobs for younger workers with decent conditions of service.

The practice of using 'outliers' to debunk why we should have pensions as we are "all so well off " is countered by the fact those in receipt of the State Pension with other Pension or Investment income will be eligible for income tax, and in large properties higher bands of council tax. It has always been a Universal non means tested benefit and should remain so.

It is also much cheaper to administer and supply than other DWP benefits and retains the dignity of those in receipt.

A universal basic income should be a goal for all, but let's start the ball rolling by reinstituting our State Pensions to when they were due and reinstate Pension Credits.

Thank you for the opportunity to contribute. I hope you will consider this idea as it will literally be a lifeline for so many .



Why the contribution is important

It is important as it is a method to protect our at risk members of society and to help with the local economy.

It will also impart savings as it will remove many from an expensive benefits system.

by RozDee26 on May 06, 2020 at 08:56PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.2
Based on: 20 votes

Comments

  • Posted by granny May 06, 2020 at 22:44

    This is an important step in making a fairer society for young and old alike while being flexible for both generations .

  • Posted by BUTEMACS May 07, 2020 at 01:30

    The pension age should never have been changed from 60 for men or women full stop & if anyone over this age felt fit & well enough to work then it's their choice to survive on state pension or work to live better.

  • Posted by sj_290 May 07, 2020 at 07:14

    Women my age(62)already feel they have been cheated out of their pension. There will be a great deal of unemployment due to this situation and the older generation should be allowed to make way for the jobs to be taken by the younger people.

  • Posted by Alexandra15 May 07, 2020 at 07:44

    I absolutely agree. I am 62 and self employed. I have been saying for weeks, never mind the grants, furloughing etc etc. Just give me my pension which is probably the cheapest and most straightforward way of giving me an income.

  • Posted by smcb May 07, 2020 at 14:41

    Excellent idea.
    This is a suggestion that's well presented and articulate.
    It makes economic sense in so many areas.
    Let's insist the legislation changes now.

  • Posted by WBRnotes May 07, 2020 at 22:35

    There is definite merit in this idea. WHO has indeed said that those 60+ are in a much more vulnerable position with regards to COVID-19 than are younger members of the working population (other than those with pre-existing conditions, that is).

    But if a pension is granted, I think those of pensionable age should still be allowed to earn some money to supplement their pension. If they live alone and have no or little other pension or savings (a problem for many WASPI women in particular), many will be unable to survive on the SP alone but they might get by with a few hours work a week. Plus it's likely it will benefit their mental health, assuming workplaces ensure that effective anti-COVID-19 measures are in place and governments ensure that older workers are appropriately protected within the workplace.

  • Posted by Kim May 08, 2020 at 11:11

    Agree... the pension age should never have been increased. We are spending million just now which we should have been doing for those who are over 60 and worked for years.
    Unemployment will be higher now, so let the young have the jobs and allow the 60 and over to claim pensions.

  • Posted by Pilot May 08, 2020 at 16:22

    Over 92k pensionless 1950's Women have died and many are now placed in the front line of the virus. Now at age 60+ women are at high risk eg nurses/shop assistant and many in the gig economy. Longetivity is on avg 2 yrs less in Scotland than the rest of the UK and as far as I can see has never been flagged by Scot Gov.

    Partial fixes are not the answer, women planned for and paid into State Pensions on the understanding that these would be paid at 60. Many women are also carers looking after elderly parents and /or grandchildren. The theft of their State Pension with no or little notice has had unbelievable outcomes - death/suicide/foreclosure and those remaining left without any protection in the face of a killer virus.

     The lack of adherence to WHO Covid guidelines by both English and Scots Govts highlights the lack of value placed on these women and again discriminates against disadvantaged 50's women. - Full restitution of their SP is required based on the more than 40 yrs NI the majority of women have paid. Means tested pension credit is a quite seperate issue that Tory MPs and deluded MPs at the APPG seem happy to push at as it EXCLUDES the majority of women affected.

    The overall lack of UK jobs should be a wake up call that younger people too are being excluded and older women having done more than their bit should be stepping aside, not worked to the grave to pay down the National debt incurred due to the 2008 crash.
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