Jenny Johnson, 71, who lives in Peterlee, County Durham, has criticised the Government for “attacking” pensioners as she believes they are viewed as an “easy target.”
Due to the personal allowance threshold for income tax being frozen for several years and the 4.1 per cent increase in state pensions, which will take effect from 6 April, it will mean she will lose her pension credit and be worse off.
Ms Johnson says the Government is giving with one hand and taking away with the other
“I have worked it out and it looks like the rise in state pension will put me about £4 over the threshold for pension credit, and because of that, I’ll lose pension credit. All because they have frozen the thresholds.”
People claiming pension credit can get help with other benefits too, such as winter fuel payment, council tax and free NHS dental treatment.
Ms Johnson told The i Paper she now fears she will lose out on another £30 or £40 a month in other benefits by losing pension credit and that in reality, she might be around £130 to £140 a month worse off.
Pension credit
Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.
you’ll be eligible if either: you and your partner have both reached State Pension ageone of you is getting Housing Benefit for people over State Pension ageA partner is either:
your husband, wife or civil partner – if you live with them someone you live with as a couple, without being married or in a civil partnershipPension Credit tops up:
your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single your joint weekly income to £332.95 if you have a partnerThe ‘triple lock’ guarantee means millions of pensioners will be just 15p short of the £12,570 personal allowance next year, according to a forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility.
Ms Johnson says she has received a letter informing her she would receive a telephone call soon to discuss her pension credit as it was awarded on previous information and that she would be asked in-depth questions.
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Ms Johnson worked as a manager for a utility company and thought she would retire at 60 and receive her state pension. When she was 59, she emailed the human resources department and asked them what the process was for retirement.
“As I enjoyed my job, I thought it was only another two years and thought that was fine.”
“I started looking for a little part-time job as I didn’t want to manage people anymore. I had worked for the utility company for 12 years and before that, I had worked for a mobile phone provider for 11 years.
“But when I applied for part-time jobs at 64 just to keep things ticking over, I just couldn’t get a job. I tried for supermarket jobs, cleaning jobs and all sorts.
Ms Johnson is furious at the Labour government at the way they have treated Waspi women and pensioners“But I didn’t want that. I just wanted a job that I could do and then come home without worrying about all the problems.”
“I thought I would retire at 60, but ended up working until 64. Your mind is still fine, but your body gets tired.
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“It makes my blood boil that they are totally disregarding the findings of the ombudsman and refusing to pay compensation.”
The watchdog recommended compensation payments of between £1,000 and £2,950. It would put the total bill at up to £10.5bn.
“A lot of people in the North East – including myself – were very much Labour as we saw our parents vote Labour and felt they were there for the ordinary working people.
Earlier this month, Waspi women launched legal action against the Government after it rejected compensation over the changes to the state pension age.
A DWP spokesperson said: “We are committed to supporting pensioners with millions set to see their state pension rise by up to £1,900 this parliament through our commitment to the triple lock.
“Many others will continue to benefit from the warm home discount and we have extended the Household Support Fund which will help with the cost of heating, food and bills.”
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