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Press release

Pensioners paying more money for less heat

Pensioners short-changed as they pay more money for less heat (27.08.09)
New research released today adds to the evidence that some pensioners are turning down the heating or staying in bed to save on fuel bills. This is despite having to spend more money on energy as a result of huge increases in gas and electricity prices since 2004.

A major new report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) released today reveals that despite having increased spending on fuel by almost one third between 2004/5 and 2006/7 to meet higher bills� poorer pensioners have� nevertheless� reduced their fuel consumption by seven per cent (2). Further price increases during 2008� after the period covered by this study� will have added to the pressure� forcing poorer older people to turn down the heating or cut spending in other areas.(3)

The report� commissioned by Age Concern and Help the Aged� which looks at pensioner spending patterns across many different categories� reveals a picture of pensioner have�s and have not�s who experience hugely contrasting lifestyles during retirement. For example� in 2007� the poorest fifth of pensioners needed to spend nearly 40 per cent of their budget (after housing costs) on food and fuel� while the richest fifth spent just under 20 per cent. (4)

Holidays are a major area of spending for the richest group of pensioners accounting for �1 in every �8 of their budget� making this the biggest single item in their shopping basket. In contrast� poorer pensioners spent a mere �1 in every �30 on holidays and their largest budget items were electricity (6.5% of spending) and then meat (6.2%) out of the 56 categories that were *word removed*. (5)

The report also compares pensioners spending patterns with non-pensioner groups over time. Some findings include:

Despite high spending on holidays� in 2007 even the richest pensioners still spent less of their budget on certain luxury items compared to younger people. For example� the poorest under 35s spent more of their budget on eating out (7.8%) compared to the richest over 70s (5.7%). (6)


Older people continue to financially support others� for example through cash gifts and presents to younger family and friends and charity donations. This type of payment was the 10th largest item on the shopping list for those aged 80 plus� compared to 25th for households under-35.(7)

Younger pensioners spend as much as households aged under-35 on average and by 2007 pensioners in the richest 40 per cent of households were spending as much as non-pensioners in the same income group.(8)
Andrew Harrop� Head of Public Policy at Age Concern and Help the Aged said: �What�s most clear from this important new research is the significant differences in living standards between older people at different ends of the income scale. Shockingly� the report finds that while poorer pensioners are spending more of their available income on energy� they are � at the same time � reducing the amount of energy they buy. Not only does this demonstrate the problem of soaring energy costs in recent times� but is a warning to policy makers and others that vulnerable older people could be putting their health at risk in winter just to cut costs.

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*Holidays

Don't feel guilty about being kind to yourself - take a holiday. You need to give yourself time to relax, and to engage in activities that you find rewarding. It is sensible, not self indulgent to look after your self in this way. Doing things you have to do all the time has a negative effect on your emotional health. As well as the fact that a holiday or trip can renew the strength required to carry on in the face of difficult circumstances.

There is a vast choice of cheap holidays in 2007 on offer using the internet and there is something for everybody..Just click here to browse further

http://www.mabels.org.uk/travel_holidays.htm

Warner Breaks -

Short breaks - Inclusive UK short breaks at luxurious hotels in beautiful surroundings. Spa, activity and entertainment breaks available. Online bookings and savings with Warner Breaks.

Senior citizen travel insurance on Mabels - Find travel insurance for the elderly & much, much more for the over 50s & senior citizens.

*Making life easier

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*Have you got a birthday or anniversary coming up?

Visit some of the top resources in our Gift section & our quick link shopping section, if there's a landmark event coming up, you should find something here to mark the occasion.

http://www.mabels.org.uk/gifts.htm

Mabels quick link shopping

*Top resources of the Month

Uk's National Will Register - After 3 years in development the Uk's Will Register www.certainty.co.uk is now online. This means it takes just 60 seconds for somebody with a will to protect their family by ensuring it can be found when they pass on. In a recent survey, an astounding 67% of people did not know where their parent's wills were located and equally as concerning nearly a third of people's wills who have died cannot be found. The ramifications of not having a will are dramatic creating increased stress and financial losses and possible increased tax to pay out of the testator's estate.
Certainty.co.uk is headed up by key legal figures in the UK, their chairman being a past law society president. Certainty are offering the UK's general public the opportunity to either register their existing will for free if it was written prior to 1st Jan 2008 or to register a new will either via their solicitor or themselves online for a small fee.
The register launched in March 2008 and now nearly approaching 1 million will registrations have already been allocated.

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Link to homepage

This month's funny..

So Paddy asks Murphy, "Why do Scuba divers always fall backwards off their boats?"

To which Murphy replies, "You thick idiot - If they fell forwards they'd still be in the bloody boat."

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Burial at sea

Mick and Paddy had promised their uncle Seamus, who had been a seafaring gent all his life, to bury him at sea when he died. Of course, in due time, he did pass away and the boys kept their promise.

They set off with Uncle Seamus all stitched up in a burial bag and loaded onto their rowboat. After a while Mick says, 'Do yer tink dis is fer enuff out, Paddy?'

Without a word Paddy slips over the side, only to find himself standing in water up to his knees. 'Dis'll neva do, Mick. Let's row some more.'

After a bit more rowing Paddy slips over the side again, but the water is only up to his belly, so they row on.

Again Mick asks Paddy, 'Do yer tink dis is fer enuff out, Paddy?' Once again Paddy slips over the side and almost immediately says, 'No, dis'll neva do.' The water was only up to his chest.

So on they row and row and row and finally Paddy slips over the side and disappears. Quite a bit of time goes by and poor Mick is really getting himself into a state when suddenly Paddy breaks the surface, gasping for breath. 'Well is it deep enuff yet, Paddy?'

'Aye 'tis', says Paddy. 'Hand me da shovel.'

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Your benefits & allowances

Quick link summary of benefits, allowances, health & general resources for the elderly

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The benefits calculator

This resource will help you to find out whether you are entitled to the following benefits :-

- Pension Credit
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