AIBU to be concerned that my State Pension is referred to as a 'Benefit'?

It’s NOT a Benefit… it’s a scheme we/you paid into for funds in later life after working a substantial number of years… stop calling it a benefit

Jess20
I read your post earlier today along with a few of the responses to SP being a benefit . That piqued my interest immensely as like others have never considered for one minute that SP was a benefit , because I assume because we have paid into it along the way throughout our working life .
However , what interested me most here is that ,when you see adverts for things such as “ Replacement Windows / New Boilers” pitched for free and the like , when filling out the form and not putting your tick ✅ against other benefits means you are automatically disqualified from applying .
I have no need to apply for these things but have tried for others in the past with this negative result, I will now however reset the button next time and see what occurs .
Thank you to all who put the record straight on this .

I agree that words matter. Terms and conditions should not be altered to make an entitlement a 'benefit' for those already contributing.

Theoretically it doesn’t matter does it? However if this is the route to making it means tested, then it does matter. Not to us because it’s highly unlikely to be made means tested for people who already claim the state pension, but for our children who are already paying taxes, it maybe important if it becomes means tested, because it’s likely they will be excluded from a pension they are paying for now.

I really couldn’t care less what the DWP call my SP. There are more important things in life to get upset about.

I noticed the reference “state benefit “ some years ago and found it a bit offensive.
Later on I went on a course which said free to people on a benefit so I used it to my advantage.

yes it is alarming. I think the notion of 'benefits' is now tied to claiming them because of poverty. Something that to my grandmother was shameful as she lived in the era of the workhouse and was scared of it as her mother had died in one. And would never claim.
The State pension is currently paid at the same rate whether you have paid all your contributions..or not. The latter is called pension credit and is means tested. the one based on contributions is not. So it feels like the people who paid and made sure they had, in my case, 40 years of contributions paid up are now being lumped together with those who have not and can all soon be means tested. Its not fair.
Many of us did not work in jobs that gave pensions...and my private pension plan paid out one off peanuts when I retired.
I remember when I got married I was offered a lesser payment of NI as my pension would be based on my husbands. I declined this offer as a feminist and smelling a trap of dependence. although I was paid very little as an editor in a publishing house, with no pension and it was tempting.
People don't like things that are not fair. Our state pension is the lowest in Europe because it is available to all and not just contribution based. I think only Albania has a lower state pension.
We all would like everything for everyone ...but its not realistic or fair and for those not fortunate to have been employed in the public sector (apparently half the population and the public sector presently owe over 3 trillion pounds in public sector pensions) , or get private sector high end jobs that paid final salary...the future is grim. I I had been a German, or American and had paid in all those years as I did I would have a state pension four times as much.

I do find it worrying because words matter.

Maddyone I agree. State pensions have been called benefits for some time, few people know, but it is obviously on the way to means testing.

This morning, at the swimming pool, while queueing to go in. A woman started chatting to me, 'I'm on benefits, but I'm not a pensioner. I don't get a reduced entry price but pensioners do. Lots of pensioners are well off and I don't think that's fair', she said.

The Tory government propaganda is working. It's true that there's financial inequality but it's widespread, not confined to pensioners. Having a large house doesn't make you cash rich, it's a result of the property market which needs taking in hand.

I had to phone someone official about one of dad’s accounts (I have POA) and had to pass the phone over to dad for the security questions.
When asked what benefits he gets he replied nothing and therefore failed the security check. He get his state pension and Attendance Allowance and doesn’t consider they are benefits .

Already Pension Credit has disappeared with the new state pension.

Unfortunately I’m of the opinion that in the future people who have definitely paid for it will be denied it because it will be means tested.
It won’t affect us, we’re already on it, but look out for your children and grandchildren. They will have paid too, and make no mistake, when NI is eventually phased out, taxes will rise, and they’ll still be paying, but unless they have no money or a private pension, they will not be entitled to collect a state pension.

They can call it a pressie from the Tooth Fairy or my OAP for all I care just so long as they pay it- but I wish it was enough for anybody without an additional income to actually live on.
And no I am not “grateful” - I’ve more than earned it!

maddyone

There is nothing shameful about claiming a state pension, whatever it is called. However this sly lessoning of NI payments is shameful in my opinion, because it is sold to the public as a lovely way of cutting taxes for them, but what will really happen once NI is gone, is that the state pension will go as well and the pension benefit will become means tested. That is shameful in my opinion.

I agree

Grannytomany

(Contd..)

If you’re honest with the information you provide to any government department you have nothing to worry about.

My understanding is that access to bank accounts is being sought to assist in cases of fraud investigation. So if you don’t give cause for fraud suspicion and you are telling the truth, nothing but the truth - where’s the problem?

Unfortunately for many, DWP can and do make mistakes, get things wrong and make decisions which are overturned on appeal.
There is good cause to be concerned, to check, to challenge where appropriate.

There is nothing shameful about claiming a state pension, whatever it is called. However this sly lessoning of NI payments is shameful in my opinion, because it is sold to the public as a lovely way of cutting taxes for them, but what will really happen once NI is gone, is that the state pension will go as well and the pension benefit will become means tested. That is shameful in my opinion.

More to the point; why do you think there is something shameful about benefits? Do you consider those in receipt of child benefit less worthy for example?

(Contd..)

If you’re honest with the information you provide to any government department you have nothing to worry about.

My understanding is that access to bank accounts is being sought to assist in cases of fraud investigation. So if you don’t give cause for fraud suspicion and you are telling the truth, nothing but the truth - where’s the problem?

It’s a benefit. It has always been a benefit.

Just be grateful for it.

If it is paid by the DWP, Department of Work and Pensions, it is classed as a “Benefit”.

It is a benefit, it has always been a benefit. It is one of several contributory benefits, paid for out of the national insurance fund.

If it is a ‘benefit’ then you are obviously able to other benefits. For example if you have ‘housing benefit’ others follow. Perhaps we should question this. But of course this is not so. A little worrying .

The state pension has been defined as a benefit since the national insurance act of 1946, but as it happens my husband got his pension increase letter he is on the old system and his pension is made up of the basic. graduated retirement benefit and SERPS his letter says changes to your benefits, I am on the new flat rate pension and my letter says increase to your state pension amount, what ever its called I don't care as long as we both get it.

Yes, I dislike it greatly. I have even heard some people say that they will not be 'claiming' the State Pension because they 'don't need benefits'. I always point out that assuming they have the correct NI contributions, it is not a 'benefit' (in the modern use of the word)
I also point this out on odd occasions when I am aswering questionnaires. I paid into my occupational pension and claim that, but no-one regards that as a 'benefit'!
I think it is connected to the way in which the National Insurance system seems to be collapsing between Univeral Credit & Taxation. And yes, I wonder if the idea is to make us pensioners feel guilty or beholden in some way.

I've never actually thought of that, but yes, you are absolutely right to be bothered by it. I am now.