Welcome to PensionersForum.co.uk

[Ivanhoe]

The problem is who would replace them ?

[Christina]

Hi Chris and all,
 
I'm not yet retired but work with pensioners one of my clients has just got a computer so  I was looking for some websites that she might like to visit.  I am a financial adviser and I love working with pensioners and was very interested in the topics on this site which highlights the concerns penionsers have today. I really enjoy doing equity release for my clients and have met many interesting people with with amazing life experiences. I was particularly interested in the post about driving - just for the record my client is in her seventies and is learning to drive, with a view to buying her first car - there's no stopping her!!  I'm sure my lady will be online as soon as she has her email set up along with many more friends.

Well that's me -kindest regards, Christina

[Ivanhoe]

There are 1 in 5 from 12 million generation of pensioners in this country living on the breadline due to utlra right wing policies since the early 80's diminishing the basic state pension in favour of ever widening means testing.

It is furtunate that the pensioner you are with is one of the richer pensioners, probably with other income, other than the basic state pension.

[Christina]

Hi Ivanhoe,

I couldn't agree with you more! My mum was unexpectedly taken into a nursing home and sadly died at the age of 65, the authorities pounced on her home to pay her fees and on the day of her funeral I received a bill for from the Council.  I've never got over it as she worked all her life and the one thing she has left was her home and they tried to take it from her. I actually specialise in equity release - and my client's usually need to do this to increase their income and I agree with you that it is the state of the country that has lead to this.  However I make sure I look after my client's as I would have liked my mum to be looked after, there are different ways of doing equity release so that interest is kept under control and it can make a huge difference to someone's quality of life.  To be quite honest I wish my mum would have spent her money - or that we had made alternative arrangements, as she ended up paying for her care with her home when others were getting it free! - All the best

[Ivanhoe]

Hi Christina,

Since the Thatcher in the 1980's we have been losing the role of the state in which to look after a generation that have spent their working lives paying into the system.

New Labour have continued Thatcher's ethos since they came to power in 1997 in tax, in pension, in privatisation, and free market deregulation.

Because we are losing the role of the state, our post offices are being closed, the state pension is being phased out, and our vital services are being privatised.

And council tax is being used to find local services that should be funded by the state.

In short, British communities UK wide are slowly being devolved from central government funding, and we are all letting it happen.

[movrae]

Hello

I am involved in pensioner issues and would like to discuss various topics with anyone who may be interested.

[Ivanhoe]

Hello Movrae, im interested and ide like to talk with you.

[Hells Granny]

Hi All, New here, looking to get chatting with some more golden oldies, I'm 61 and widowed, soon to be moving from Hampshire to West Sussex.

Like most pensioners, money is quite tight, and I'm not currently driving due to cataracts.

[rosynan]

I hope wheelygood has had considerable training as far too many people think they can set up as suppliers of mobility aids and really they don't know the first thing about them.  What about fitting the right aid for a person's disability?  What about a follow up service?  I have a son with a congenital disability and I know the amount of work his supplier has to do to make his equipment suit him.  Are you going to deter a prospective purchaser for whom the equipment is not suitable?  Will you know when equipment is not suitable?

[Papaumau]

Hi Chris....

I too am new to the forum and quite new to the internet.

I came here as I thought that maybe we could do each-other a good turn.

As I am interested in British consumerism, ( Yawn, I know   ), I thought that I might introduce myself and MY newish forum to the pensioners of Britain (especially as I am one myself ).

I will just leave this entry to see what you and your members think of the idea before coming back to talk in other subjects.

[Betsy]

Hello all

I joined because i have a query.....and wondered could anybody help,please?

I'll have a look round for where to put my question...

[Ivanhoe]

Hi Betsy, what's you're question ?

[Betsy]

Hi Ivanhoe

I've put my question in Financial Issues as I thought this area was just for saying hello...

[Ivanhoe]

I was being polite to you, you were rude to me.

[Jackie]

Hello Chris and all members, I'm new to this forum, and although not quite reached pension age as yet (59 next March) I would like to get in early, so to speak, on what I can expect to come.  I am hoping to both learn from, and also contribute to the Pensioners Forum.