State pension should be abolished?

[atearth]

State pension should be abolished?

Phase in 01/01/09. Anyone born on or after that date shall not recieve a state pension.

All NI will be stopped. All contribution upto now shall be given back to the owner in one lump sum.

humans should have full control of their money. The government have no right in providing humans state pensions. government is being a nanny state.

individuals must be allowed to do whatever they want with their money.

dicussion

[Hamsterwaffle]

Why shouldn't the government help people who have paid more tax than they will ever get from a state pension?

[Liam Hannan]

Gotta agree with Hamsters on this one.

The government isn't there because we enjoy being told what to do, it's there to help us out - and part of that is providing for the elderly.

[niall_mc]

its archaic to believe that people should fend for themselves once they reach old age. the reason the liberals introduced the old age pension was in order the protect the old and vulnerable from sliding into poverty. humans have always lived in communities and societies, the reason for this is so as to look after each other. that includes the elderly.

[Tom Follett]

State pension should be abolished?

Phase in 01/01/09. Anyone born on or after that date shall not recieve a state pension.

All NI will be stopped. All contribution upto now shall be given back to the owner in one lump sum.

humans should have full control of their money. The government have no right in providing humans state pensions. government is being a nanny state.

individuals must be allowed to do whatever they want with their money.

dicussion

Have you learn anything at all from the history of britain
it used to be the political dogma that 'freedom' was freedom from the government and being in control of all your money. But how free are you if you can't afford fuel or food. The most successful societies, the rich european countries, japan, canada, all have extensive welfare states especially free care for the elderly
do you really believe someone who has worked all their life shouldn't receive a bit of money to live on
the amount of thatcherites in here is shocking

[TJP]

See, this is why I hate terms like 'nanny state'.

"The government is taking money from me, and giving it to people who need it, for the good of the nation! My god, I'm living in a nanny state!" says atearth

"Nanny state" is supposed to mean a state that patronises its citizens and assumes they need to be looked after at every turn, as far as I know. A state that makes you pay taxes is not a nanny state.

State pension is important, as the elderly shouldn't be left to die because the rich don't want to part with their money. Why should a few percentage points of your income take precedent over the welfare of the elderly?

[atearth]

so no one is of the view that individuals should save for themselves?

[Tom Follett]

when you grow old, try living on a state pension. Its not fun. you can stay alive but forget your holidays in spain or even wales and your sky tv. people do save for themselves so they can live in comfort in their old age.\
I think we should have a cradle to grave welfare state. You work and have high NI contributions taken off, then you get a good pension in your old age.

[TJP]

@atearth: I think people should save, if they can, but it's not possible for everyone. And the type of person that can't is the type of person that needs the most help when they're too old to work.

You can't assume everyone has money spare to save, and people shouldn't be punished if they can't put enough money aside for the future.