Osborne has just given another rise to the state pension - but who gets this rise.
A poor pensioner only on state pension will NOT get a rise because their pension is topped up to £151.20 by pension credit.
A rich pensioner not receiving pension credit will get the full rise.
Well count me as a rich pensioner as I get £5 a week over and above the pension credit criteria. That means I have to pay full council tax, and full everything else.
So I am worse off, the one who paid into a pension fund once I earned enough to do so which doesn't even cover my council tax. So thank you Mr Osborne, about time the under privileged voice was heard.
Double check, I just threw some figures into the pension credit calculator intentionally totalling £5 a week over the £151.20 (single) pension credit and it told me I was entitled to £12.92 a week.
I used ....
£115.95 state pension
£40 private pension
Which totals £155.95 a week
PENSION CREDIT CALCULATOR
On that basis, you would get 12.92 plus exemption from council tax which could be anything up to £150 per month. So take an average of £100 equivalent to another £25 per week on top of.
Have a look at the 'savings credit'. It's too darn complicated for me. All I know is, I get 'nowt in the way of freebees, unlike others.
Another gift to the rich my arris. It's an increase to the basic state pension. Don't get tax credit myself but pay tax on the bit I get over the odds and pay for my dental treatment etc etc. Everybody is different so it's a waste of time trying lump everyone into categories in this case. I can't see anyone dipping out. They're trying to straighten out the anomalies and it's bound to upset someone.
Someone on basic state pension with pension credit will not get any rise out of this increase (they were getting £151.20 in total and will still get £151.20 in total), what they gain in state pension they lose 100% in pension credit.
Someone getting a million pounds private pension and state pension will get an increase.
Some people currently just below pension credit threshold will be pushed out of pension credit and will lose many other benefits (free dental, glasses, prescriptions, reduced council tax etc) which will cost them more than the increase - so they will lose money.
Someone getting a million pound private pension will be calling his state pension a tax refund.
Ha ha ! Don't get to depressed. Mr Osborne is to announce that Council Tax will be allowed to rise up to 2% from next year.
So those who don't gain in the state pension stakes, will gain in the concessions on council tax. Those who benefit from the rise will be paying more council tax.
So who are the losers ?
Signed
The Rich Bitch
The 2% is a new "social care precept" so will be additional to the council tax rise - but there will be the usual bribery/penalties to try and limit any chances of a rise in council tax.
Basically the government are introducing a new tax so they can still boast that the old tax hasn't increased.
Its good to hear I am Rich { quote from DD } due to having paid into a separate pension pot which exempts me from any form of top up from the state which means I will get the rise. Oops just got the heating allowance perhaps I should send it back, along with my bus pass.
Oh yes, the Heating Allowance. I'd forgotten that was coming up anytime now. Thanks Jimbob. Well, that's Christmas sorted !!!!
I never said all people that would get the pension increase are rich, a few people have put words in my mouth.
What I said was the the rich would get a rise and the poorest wouldn't - I didn't mention or imply anything about the in-betweens.
I would get the increase if I was old enough, that doesn't stop me from seeing the injustice.