This is a difficult blog for me to write because it’s quite personal and I don’t want to reveal more about myself than is necessary, but since you’ve started reading I’m sure you’ll understand where I’m coming from 😀

I have just been reading about how the Scottish Government has had to follow Westminster in restricting payment of Winter Fuel Payments to those in receipt of Pension Credit. As the Deputy First Minister points out, it’s disrespectful to devolve an issue a few weeks after cutting the budget allocated by Westminster by 90%. Most Scots I know would think it downright insulting, and I’ld agree with them 😠

I’m not personally affected as I receive Pension Credit, but many pensioners who need the Winter Fuel Payment more than I do will miss out. I’ve been considering how I not only manage when other pensioners are struggling, but can also afford to donate more to various charitable and political causes. I listed some of them in a recent blog and have since taken on two more regular commitments and two one off donations. That doesn’t include £100+ I donated to the campaigns of various socialist candidates in the General Election.

I have a bank balance which will cover large unexpected expenses. I’ve had some assistance from the council (for a new washing machine and bath lift) but I’ve born some expenses myself (fridge, armchair, bed). Yet my bank balance doesn’t diminish and I wonder why? I might have a lot of expenses one week when direct debits are due but, averaged over a month, I appear to be spending less than my pension brings in. I put it down to the following factors:

• After many years of drifting I finally have secure social housing with full housing benefit. After 21 years I’m one of the oldest tenants here.
• I don’t pay Council Tax and have a bus pass if I want to travel anywhere, I rarely do as public transport is atrocious where I live!
• I’ve no dependents, don’t drive and gave up smoking 10 years ago (the money I save pays for my internet connection)
• I’m an alcoholic, but I get my booze delivered. Costs less than £10 a day, which would only buy me 2-3 pints in the pub.
• I would be entitled to a free TV license if the Tories hadn’t scrapped it, but wouldn’t want one.

I was fortunate enough to retire at the right time! I had been unemployed for almost a year when DWP informed that, when I turned 60 in another 6 months, I would have the choice of staying on JSA or moving to Pension Credit. I went onto State Pension when I turned 65 but also got the Pension Credit Guarantee, don’t ask me to explain it but it had to do with the years I spent in Australia.

DWP are no longer pro-active in advising people of their entitlement to Pension Credit, so many pensioner’s are unaware that that they’re entitled to it and so miss out on Winter Fuel Payment if their income is would qualify them. Almost a year to the day that I first claimed Pension Credit a neighbour, now deceased, asked me about it. I had to inform him that he wouldn’t need to pay rent as Housing Benefit would cover that.

The new government has pledged to retain the pension triple lock but that won’t help if governments continue to increase the state pension age and continue to force people into applying for unsuitable jobs. Women born in the 50s have already been robbed and I’ve written a blog in support of their campaign.

Pensions and Work https://thephilosophicalmuse.blog/2023/11/18/pensions-and-work/

In my view, everyone should be able to retire at 60 if they wish. There’s no economic reason for people to work half their life and not have a dignified retirement to look forward to while they still have sufficient health to enjoy it. It would open up more opportunities for younger jobseekers, including graduates, and asylum seekers who aren’t currently allowed to seek employment. We don’t all manage to remain in a job long enough to have a work based pension and there’s a considerable gender gap because of the time women take from paid employment because of caring responsibilities.

I paid into a pension fund in Australia but the part that I could access immediately was being whittled away when bills became due and I claimed the rest when I returned to the UK – if I’d stayed in Australia I would have had to wait until I was 55 but without a job I was struggling and decided to return while could afford to do so.

I’ve struggled through life and the good times have been followed by disappointment, I’m grateful for having attained sufficient stability to be able to think of others.