Act now to sort pension fiasco
■ YET more policy changes by the Chancellor to erode pensioner incomes. It now appears the triple lock method of calculating annual pension increases is under review.
Nothing is said about another very well off group of elders, those sat in the House of Lords. They can earn more in one day than the monthly income of many pensioners, and get subsidised food and drink.
Now that is an area this Chancellor, or a future chancellor, could look at to create a more just and fairer society.
John White
North Wingfield, Derbyshire
■ No surprise the payments for WASPI women could fall far short of what they were originally told.
This country can throw money at people who’ve never worked or paid a penny into the system, and pay members of the House of Lords over £300 per day plus expenses.
Yet again it’s the very people who fought for the younger generation to enjoy shorter working weeks, longer holiday leave, and health and safety who suffer. People should remember they will be pensioners one day.
Mary Taylor Fairburn, North Yorkshire
■ Millions of women couldn’t properly plan for their retirement because of the failings of the Government. Working all our lives for what? To lose out because of our second rate government.
I was horrified to read as many as 3.8 million women born in the 50s were not made aware that the pension age was rising. This means on average they missed out on £50,000 in payments. It’s time for the Government to put this mess right.
Frances Attwell, Blaby, Leicester
■ So the ombudsman has said women should be awarded up to £2,950 in compensation. That falls short of what we are owed.
The DWP let women down – we should be entitled to what is rightfully ours. The Government needs to sort out the pensions fiasco urgently and set up the compensation scheme quickly.
Margaret Reynolds Darlington, County Durham
■ If Labour wants to win the next election they should make sure the manifesto includes the triple lock system, promises to keep the bus passes for OAPs, and brings in free prescription charges for menopausal women. Return free TV licences to the over-70s too.
G Williams, Tuffley, Glos
■ There seems to be a movement that is determined to pit younger people against pensioners. And we are all aware that understanding pensions is a minefield.
I had a 50-year working career and am categorised as in receipt of the “full new state pension for men born after April 6, 1951. It is assumed I will receive an 8.5% rise on £203.85 a week, meaning a rise to £221.20 but I’ve been advised by letter it will rise to £194.57. Can I have my money back, DWP?
Jim Sokol, Woodcombe, Somerset
■ Getting rid of National Insurance isn’t a bad idea. Cash raised from it doesn’t fund the NHS, pensions or benefits directly anyway. To stop pensioners paying more they could be given a new tax break. It’s far more transparent than continuing the current stealth income tax and tax on jobs that is NI.
Brett Grainger, Rugeley, Staffs