Which party do you trust to manage your pensioner benefits over the next 5 years?
With just 15 days to go until the General Election, we think it would be useful to try and clarify what each of the seven major parties are pledging regarding pensioner benefits.
You have told us that one of the most important topics in the 2015 General Election for the over 50s is pensioner benefits, so let’s see who is promising what over the next 5 years.
Here are the main pledges made by each party:
Conservative
- Maintain the triple lock on the state pension, so it rises by the highest of prices, earnings, or 2.5%
- Protect universal pensioner benefits such as free bus pass, TV licence, and Winter Fuel Payments
- Reward savings by introducing a new single-tier pension
- Give people the freedom to invest and spend their pension however they like
Labour
- Reform the pensions market so that pension providers put savers first and protect consumers
- Keep “triple lock” on state pensions so they rise by the highest of inflation, earnings or 2.5%
- Cut tax relief on pensions for wealthier savers
- Restrict Winter Fuel Payments for the richest five per cent of pensioners
Lib Dems
- Keep the “triple lock” – raise pensions by the highest of inflation, wages or 2.5%
- Complete introduction of the single tier pension
- Scrap Winter Fuel Payment and free TV Licences for pensioners on the 40% income tax rate
- Keep free bus passes for all pensioners
UKIP
- No increase in the retirement age
- Dedicated annuities advice
Green
- Introduce a Citizen’s Pension of £180 a week linked to the rise in average earnings
- This means all pensioners would receive a non-means tested sum
- Provide free prescriptions for all
- Keep the pensioners’ bus pass and winter fuel allowance
SNP
- Vote to continue the triple lock,” guaranteeing that pensions will always rise by inflation”
- Support a single-tier pension of £160 per week
- Vote to protect the Winter Fuel Allowance
- Seek a review of plans to increase the state pension age beyond 66
Plaid Cymru
- Living Pension for all pensioners, set at level of pension credit
- Support moves to allow early access to pensions
- Investigate flexible pension rights for self-employed
Which party do you trust to manage pensioner benefits over the next 5 years?
| Conservative | |
| Labour | |
| Lib Dem | |
| UKIP | |
| Green | |
| SNP | |
| Plaid Cymru |
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We don't tolerate swearing, and reserve the right to remove any posts which we feel may offend others... let's keep it friendly!
Sturgeon won't rest until she breaks up the UK, that was Salmond's purpose now she's taken over whilst she says she not trying to push another Referendum, she won't rest until Scotland is independent.
I can completely understand how English people feel, if it all goes "belly up" in the future, there is no way back for Scotland. Let's face it, the "fishy pair" lied about the calculation of oil reserves in the North Sea. It might have sounded good, but they didn't even get that right.......I don't believe a thing that comes out of any MP's mouth to be honest.
I reckon the bus passes in Scotland will go before long, great, we've only just received ours and barely use them as it is. I am sick of hearing MPs bleating on about "hard working people/families" what did he think the majority of older people did for all their working lives? Not to mention us Silver Surfers certainly did not keep producing endless children to get more payments whilst sitting at home! We all paid into the system with taxes and NI contributions, so if anyone deserves to be treated well in their 60's it's us.
Another point, there is free contraception at Family Planning clinics, so there's no excuse, except for continued Child Benefits which are paid out to them. I would say to the Government change the system with this bunch instead of hitting hard people who have worked all their lives and paid into the system all their lives.
The Government have pushed out my pension age and the Winter Fuel Allowance has been changed as well..........the older people are being made scapegoats whilst others seem to reap the benefits yet have paid little or nothing into the system.
I didn't mention basic state pension, I am not old enough for that ........ that's now been pushed out by the Government. However, someone who is 60 and on a private pension, is taxed on that, it relates to the tax code and is deducted at source.
Our politics are obviously poles apart, so let's just agree to differ?
NEITHER DOES UKIP NOR THE GREENS
Meaning WORK TIL YOU DIE
OR
STARVE IF YOU CAN'T forever in old age.
See why at end of my petition, in my WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT section, at:
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/state-pension-at-60-now
Hope this helps,as I have always been able to help others, but not always myself, I have been Homeless three times now and none of the Pensioners Organizations could be bothered to help me???
Best Regards, Peter J Newbey.
Living in Greater London I am so pleased to have the Freedom Pass which allows me free travel on all London's wonderful public transport system.
I also appreciate not having to pay prescription charges,and the winter fuel allowance is a big help.
Our country is wonderful, and I thank God I was born in England.
The Conservatives and Labour will never ask their friends in banking to sort out the mess they have made unless we make it clear we will accept nothing less. We need to do as Nicola Sturgeon advocates and get ourselves power to recall MPS who fail in their duty to their constituents.
I feel all the women have faired better than the guys during the TV debates.
Contrary to what people think ... I strongly believe Nicola sturgeon will do her best for the whole country not JUST Scotland.
Why shouldn't Scotland have a louder voice in Westminster ?
We're all in this country together aren't we ?
This would happen if dictated by the people not by her or Mr Salmond.
Yes I agree that's at the heart of what they believe to be best as do many many Scottish people.
I hope one day we will see an independent Scotland.
The corruption in Westminster disgusts me
In it for themselves; no one else.
Westminster need a good boot up the backside; House of Lords needs abolished.
Had the poor old souls terrified !
Shocking tactics !!!
Testing the elderly & most vulnerable in our d'Ivoire this way.
Shame on them !
Do not forget bad people are elected by good people who don't vote
Educate yourselves! The Tories lie, lie and lie again! The figures are out there and they're official. For example, did you know that the national debt is rising at £5170 per second? And yes, I've just checked the figures again and it's now OVER £1.5trillion! You would have to be pretty soft in the head to vote Tory!
Pension Age for women! done away with Age related tax allowance. What has happened to the
£140 Pension for all?