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Easy life for OAPs? Take it from us, that’s a bit rich!
• I BELIEVE Ann Raynes (Letters, September 21) is under a misapprehension regarding concessions pensioners receive.
It is likely that those pensioners who rely solely on the government pension may get their council tax and rent paid, but it is my understanding that most pensioners pay council tax in full.
May I remind Ms Raynes of those pensioners who have been arrested and imprisoned for not paying their council tax.
If you are a single occupant of a house or flat you are entitled to a 25 per cent discount only on the council tax.
As a recent retiree I do not get free dentistry. The Freedom Pass is the only travel concession that Londoners get. If they want concessionary rail travel they buy a senior rail pass.
It would be wonderful if all pensioners did not have to pay council tax and were eligible for housing benefit that covered the whole of their rent, but this is something that will never happen.
Paying for one’s living expenses, which include gas, electricity and telephone, before food and clothing, is an incessant juggle of resources.
Patricia Christopher
WC1q I’D like to put Ann Raynes’s mind at rest about her idea of “rich pensioners”.
When pensioners were young there was no such thing as a welfare state, only the “haves and have-nots”.
We were brought up to save, therefore, for our old age.
Now that some have savings a little over a set sum, which a long time ago was considered a small fortune, they are barred from all benefits enjoyed by most these days.
They pay taxes like everybody else to finance these handouts, pay a slightly reduced council tax, pay a rent at today’s prices, pay for their home care where needed, and not all sponge off the benefit system as implied.
Surely Ann doesn’t really begrudge them the crumbs of national concessions, only recently offered.
Today, of course, there is no incentive to save – the state will provide, but it’s still tough being on a pension, Ann, as you’ll see when your turn comes.
Mr AE BEST
Beaufort House, Tachbrook Street, SW1V
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