Press Release
The real question on pension reform green paper is what the government is taking away not what it is promising to provide says GMB
4 April 2011
Iain Duncan Smith might think that the over 65s are leaping at the chance to work on into their 80s but the reality is many don't have a choice - work and pay the bills, or retire and choose between eating and heating says GMB
GMB commented on the government's pension reform proposals trailed to be contained in today's Green Paper.
Naomi Cooke, GMB National Pensions Officer, said, "Hot on the heels of a Budget that showed the government's much heralded 'triple-lock' will actually be worse for pensioners than the previous Labour policy, the public should very wary of the coalition's latest pension pronouncements.
In government for less than a year, the Tory-led coalition has increased the state pension age by two years for thousands of women who thought retirement was in sight; announced reductions in the Winter Fuel Allowance; cut the value of millions of occupational pension savings; and started to price workers out of pension schemes – can we really trust them to reform the basic state pension?
In this context the real question is what the government is taking away, not what it's promising to provide. Council tax benefit, housing benefit, pension credit, disability allowances, second state pension (S2P), savings credit, assistance with fuel, travel, social care and prescription costs - what happens to all these vital elements of many pensioners' day to day finances?
Iain Duncan Smith might think that the over 65s are leaping at the chance to work on into their 80s, the reality is many don't have a choice - work and pay the bills, or retire and choose between eating and heating. If the Secretary of State can't tell the difference between choice and necessity what hope is there for real reform that will enable all of us to live securely in retirement?"
Article Comments
The notion of increasing state pensions is a welcome one but at what price?
Furthermore will the suggested flat rate pension of £140 per week be the new maximum? If so what about those thousands or maybe even hundreds of thousands who are already in receipt of a state pension in excess of that by dint of having worked and made NI contributions for maybe more than 40 years. Will their position be protected?
George Fox
5th Apr 2011 at 10:37 am
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