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January 2012. Housing Minister Grant Shapps has announced more cash will be given to enable older people remain in their own homes. See the Mabels article at http://www.mabels.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=2435 This includes cash for home improvements, Disabled facility Grants and Advice via http://www.firststopcareadvice.org.uk/
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/10k Urging you to run 10k in aid of the Spread the Warmth Campaign this winter. Last time I did a charity walk I got plantar fasciitis, so I think I will give this on a miss !
Plans to raise the state pension age for women to 66 in 2020 will be delayed by six months to address concerns thousands of women would be unfairly disadvantaged. But it is still intended that the age will rise to 65 by 2018. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-15289798
There is a new site intended to help the older generation at http://ageactionalliance.org/. It is supported by many other local and national organiusation
A damning report by the Care Quality Commission has found half of 100 hospitals inspected are neglecting elderly patients in the area of dignity and nutrition. A list of the worst hospitals is published by the Guardian at http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/oct/13/nhs-hospitals-care-of-elderly
8th October 2011 News is filtering through about a scheme for energy suppliers to give £120 to households of some pensioners and also those with a disabled person and some low income families with children. See http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/Benefits/BenefitsInRetirement/DG_185940 The scheme seems to have been ill thought out, with some companies saying they will limit the total amount, so it will be ‘first come first served’. Some companies are not participating at all. If you wish to apply you should get in touch with your supplier. But, I gather, many of their call centre staff do not know what to say. But it is worth trying to get in touch – preferably on line if you don’t want to spend a fortune on the phone call. While Scottish and Southern say it will be a limited scheme I gather British Gas will not have a limit. For more detail see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15225686
N.b. In November 2010 much of the text regarding pensions, care costs and benefits was moved to the next page
September 2011. The confusion about State Pension Reforms continues, with parts of the recommendations still dependent on 'affordability'. These days this probably means they will be delayed. I recommend a good read of the site at http://www.pensionsorter.co.uk/ There is so much happening (with ages, amounts, the rate of increases, additional schemes, the number of contributions required etc) that it would fill a whole page.
August 2011 On a lighter note, have you ever had an email suggesting it would be cheaper to live in an hotel or on a cruise ship than in a costly rest home? If you look at the Snopes on this it gives it a True. One person lived on board a cruise ship for 14 years. The cost was only marginally more than a care home (presumably in the USA). But the accommodation is more cramped and you may not make lasting friendships (unless this catches on for groups!) Well worth a read at http://www.snopes.com/travel/trap/retire.asp
Women aged 56 and 57 may be affected by the Pension Bill, which proposes to increase the pension age for all to 66 by 2020 (and to 65 by 2018) The State Pension is also to be raised to around £155 a week for everyone by 2016. So, deferring when women get it would cost them at least £5000 a year. Saga and a number of MPs have asked the government to rethink this.
May 2011 I am very interested in the proposals for government help to improve the thermal efficiency of houses. Like the new pension proposals, the information seems to leak out gradually but it seems likely that improvements to insulation, boilers and DOUBLE GLAZING will be considered but that the costs will be attached to fuel bills and spread over the next 25 years. Sounds good to me as I will only be 105 by the time it is paid off. If you haven't paid it off, I wonder if they will be sniffing around the probate solicitors !
April 2011. Along with a number of members of the government, I am still attempting to understand the new STATE pension proposals... But you can be sure that they will not apply to people who are already over pensionable age. It seems likely to be brought in for people retiring at 66 in 2015 or even 2016 - and a lot can happen before then ! The proposals will create anomalies between retirees, depending on when they were born. For those who become pensionable age after 2015 the government proposes to pay a weekly payment of £155. So a couple will get around £310. The maximum will be paid to people who have 30 years National Insurance contributions (or credits), although anyone who has paid 7 years will get something. This will be much simpler than the current scheme which is based on the Basic State Pension, plus (for many people) a Second (Earnings Related) State pension (previously known as SERPS) The new scheme will benefit those who were unable to build up a contribution record due to low wages, part time employment and/or looking after children or the elderly. People who have not built up the 30 years will still be able to apply for a minimum pension. It is thought that, due to there being no discounted rate of NI for people who contract out of the scheme, there will be less benefit from joining a company scheme and such schemes will be less attractive, further speeding up the reduction in final salary schemes.
Meanwhile, one of the least publicised changes brought about by the budget is the cut in winter fuel allowance from £300 to £200 per household. More for 80 year olds. Tax allowances for the elderly are also to be restricted. People will be able to earn up to £8,105 from April 2012 before they pay income tax, In 2010-2011 the level was £6,475 and this has been increased to £7,475 for 2011-2012. This is increased to £9,940 for those 65 - 74 and to £10,090 for those over 75. The personal allowance is to be raised to £10,000 for everyone by April 2015.
See http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/StatePension/DG_183780
Increases in pensionable age: From April 2010 the pensionable age for women has increased and will eventually be the same as for men: 65. The government is also proposing that this will increase further to 66, so that by 2020 the age will be 66 for all.
February 2011 A friend reminds me that, in addition to making
a will, one might consider arranging a "Lasting Power of Attorney"
See details on the Saga site re this :
http://www.saga.co.uk/money/paullewisontheweb/lasting-power-of-attorney-care-when-you-cant.asp
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Mentalcapacityandthelaw/Makingarrangementsincaseyoulosementalcapacity/DG_185921
So, what does "Lasting Power of Attorney" mean and why would we want to consider it ? If you feel that it would be wise to give the responsibility or either your financial matters or health matters (or both you should visit a solicitor and ask what it entails. Obviously you need to consult with the person to whom you wish to hand this power. If a Power of Attorney is set up then copies of the docu,ment would be lodged with your banks, building societies, insurance /pension companies, investment orgnaisations etc.
17th October 2010. Interesting article in the Sunday Mail which mentioned that some parents and grandparents are helping youngsters get on the property ladder, by using their savings in an "Offset Loan" arrangement. Their cash earns no interest (well, it is pretty low these days) but is taken into account in the mortgage. In one example their daughter's payments were cut by £250 a month, meaning that she was paying no more than she had been paying to rent one room in a house. Try Newbury, Market Harborough or Yorkshire Building Societies.
Annuities Anyone who has to buy an annuity should shop around for the best Annuity Rates. Find the best Annuity Rates on the market by using this free annuity information and comparison site. Another useful site which specialises in this field is Simply Annuities, now renamed http://www.annuitywarehouse.net/ Much more on annuaties on next page
12th October 2010. The fact that the Retail Price Index of inflation has stayed at 4.6% may sound bad news. But as this was in September take heart that the government is committed to tying any increase in State Pension to that rate. And my pension is also tied to that. Last year they claimed the rate was zero in September and my pension was frozen.
November each year is WillAid month. Certain solicitors will help you make a will for a donation to a charity. See http://www.willaid.co.uk/
August 2010 AgeUK are running a campaign to help
millions of older people get money that is due to them. Just Council Tax
Benefit alone amounts to £1.5billion unclaimed, which would boost the
average pensioner's income by £728. So, take a look at
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/money-matters/claiming-benefits/
if you think you might qualify. And, if not you, maybe a friend
is not getting their due. Useful numbers are Pension Credits 0800 991234.
AgeUK Advice Line 0800 169 6565.
Citizens Advice Bureau 0800
88 22 00 They are free from land lines.
The EAC (Elderly Advice Counsel )
http://www.eac.org.uk/ is
on 020 780 1343
August 2010. The implications of getting rid of a compulsory retirement age are discussed in Later Life HERE. I have long thought it an anachronism that a person could be sacked due to age and yet could not be refused employment on age grounds alone. One can imagine a situation where a retiree reapplies for his job the day after and sues the company for age discrimination when refused the same job. But there are many implications, not least (there was) a rush to give people retirement notices by the 6th April 2011, the last possible day when this will be legal.
July 2010. After raising the hopes of people who lost their pension money in Equitable Life, it now seems likely that they will only get a fraction of what they lost and not until next year.
June 2010 The Digital TV switchover is gathering pace. See Page2a for more detail. Over 75s and some other people can get help with the switchover for £40 and some get this free. For eligibility at whether your area is due for the change see:: http://www.helpscheme.co.uk/ For your £40 you will get :
If you are eligible and you also get pension credit, income-related employment and support allowance (ESA(IR)), income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance, the help will be free.
Please note that the Health Sections have been moved to Page 29a (mainly links to sites which give help) and Page 29b, which displays news items on health.
April 2010 A new site is the result of cooperation between Age Concern and Help the Aged. See http://www.ageuk.org.uk/
The forthcoming Equality Bill will include aspects of discrimination against older people, including such things as travel insurance, which must be based on risk, not age. But, unless something is done about the age of compulsory retirement could it be that the person who is retired at a certain age will have the law on their side if they reapply the day after ?
February 2010 There are new rules afoot as to how many qualifying years you have to have to get a full state pension. Get an estimate HERE or for women see
http://www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk/women--pensions/basic-state-pension You MAY be able to pay additional contributions to improve your basic pension but the rules are complex and you should study the above page and subsequent pages, especially " What if I have a gap in my qualifying record.? In some circumstances payment can be accepted for years as far back as 1975
January A good site that deals with GRANTS of various kinds is at http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/protect/grant-grabbing
Home Care The government is proposing that from the autumn, around 280,000 older people and disabled adults who need help to carry out basic functions such as dressing, getting out of bed and using the lavatory will receive free care. Another 130,000 frail patients, including stroke sufferers, are to receive support on leaving hospital, with home improvements such as grab rails and panic buttons, allowing them to be discharged earlier. Doubts are being expressed that the £670 million suggested will be insufficient.
Winter Fuel Allowance 2011 See more next page
(Pensions and
Benefits) http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/Benefits/BenefitsInRetirement/DG_10018657A
N.b. Winter fuel allowance. Men who reach 60 by the qualifying week
should apply for the payment as they are not registered as pensioners and
could miss out
Age Discrimination Until 2011 the High Court upheld the
law that allowed UK employers to force workers to retire at the age of 65.
In the UK, a worker could be sacked at the age of 65 without any redundancy
payment - even if they do not want to retire. Age Concern and Help the Aged,
(now called AgeUK) on 0800 169 29
39 which challenged the rules, did not appeal because
they expected the law to change. (It has) After all the Discrimination at
Work Act which said: "All aspects of your employment (or prospective employment)
are protected from age discrimination, including your recruitment, employment
terms and conditions, promotions, transfers, dismissals and training". "If
you feel you're at a disadvantage because of age-related criteria for recruitment
or promotion policies, or if you think you're suffering age discrimination,
you'll be able to bring a claim to an Employment Tribunal" It would
seem that, although an employee could be sacked when 65 an employer would
have to be very careful not to discriminate against him if he applied for
the same post the day after ! The law is /was an ass.
Fortunately, the law on this changes on 1st October 2011 and compulsory
retirement at 65 will no longer be legal.
28th July 2009 A couple of useful links about Carers and Care. Click on them to read and see videos.
15th April 09. Taxi Vouchers for disabled people. Although these schemes have ben in operation for some time, I was not aware of them. Most Local Authorities are prepared to give vouchers of varying amounts per annum to disabled people who have difficulty using public transport. Most schemes offer around £80. Do a search on Google something like Taxi Vouchers Suffolk.
The BBC has an excellent memory test 'game' at http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/memory/. Your test results will be interesting and will anonymously help in a scientific study
Sept 08 : Age Concern (AgeUK) has revamped its community site at the AgeUk site. Join for chat etc
Did you know that under section 187 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992: it an offence for banks to take bank charges out of the accounts of people who are on social security benefits. So, if your bank has taken charges out of your Benefits eg: if you are in receipt (and totally dependent on) of any of the following benefits.
From February 2009 a person has been able to inherit more of their spouse or partner's estate if they die without leaving a will. Up until then the statutory legacy remained at not more than £125,000 for a spouse or partner and children and £200,000 if the deceased leaves a spouse or civil partner and parents or siblings but no children. These amounts have been raised to £250,00 and £400,000 respectively. Remaining amounts are distributed according to the Statutory Legacy Rules
A new government direct site has been created called Generationxperience.
http://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/ Is a government site which enables you to find tradesmen in your area
Transportation The Grey Escape. The National Bus Pass scheme. Everyone aged 60 or over and eligible disabled people is entitled to free off-peak service bus travel anywhere in England. However, this does not apply to coaches on National Express, which did offer half price tickets on its Route Sixty Scheme. Unfortunately, due to government cut backs the National Express concession finished on 31st October 2011. They have now inroduced a Senior (over 60s) and Disabled Coachcard for £10 a year. This gives 1/3 off all year round but does not include journeys starting or ending at an airport. Why ? For details of the more generous schemes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland see HERE
You can still check whether there are any BUS (as opposed to COACH) services available from your area at http://www.traveline.unfo/index.htm I found this scheme especially useful on a visit to London It is one more casualty of the economy drive.
But see also http://www.nationalexpress.com/coach/offers/funfares.cfm for £1 tickets on-line.
The other thing to watch is those expensive rail fares. Take a
look at
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-train-tickets
to see how you can save substantially. Get Cheaper train fares
by booking early see www.trainline.com
http://www.cheaptraintickets.info/cheap-train-tickets-guide/
Is an excellent guide to how to save money on train tickets.
NOT TO BE MISSED
http://www.ceacard.co.uk/ This site enables you to apply for the Cinema Exhibitors Association card which gives a free cinema ticket for one additional person if you are either in receipt of a disability allowance or are registered as a blind person (but not as a deaf one !)
If you have poor vision did you know that you can turn on a 'High Contrast screen' There is a shortcut to turn this on or off. Press LEFT ALT+LEFT SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN. Various alternative high contrast screens can be chosen by clicking 'Settings'. Alternatively you will find that it is possible to change the size and style of web page type. In a web page see Tools, Internet Options, Fonts and also View, Text size.
If you use Internet Explorer use View, Text size and choose a larger one or just press Ctl nd the + key.
In addition Windows provides a magnifier which is turned on by going to Start, Run and typing Magnify and clicking OK, but I find it confusing !
It has various shortcuts : To increase magnification: Press the Windows key+UP ARROW. Decrease magnification: +DOWN ARROW. To invert the colors of the magnification window press the Windows key+PAGE U ; To follow the mouse cursor through the magnified area: Windows key +PAGE DOWN. To copy the screen to the Clipboard, including the mouse cursor press the Windows key. +PRINT SCREEN.
If you have difficulty using two hands you can use 'Sticky keys', so
you can press say, the Windows key and E separately. This is set on
by pressing SHIFT five times
In fact, for people who hate using the mouse there is a great deal that can
be achieved with the keyboard For instance
Ctrl + A to select all
Shift + arrows selects text
Ctrl + C Copies a selection you have made by dragging the mouse across it.
Ctrl + X Cuts selection ; Ctrl + V Pastes clipboard contents to cursor position.
Home/End Moves cursor to beginning/end of line ;
Ctrl + Home/End Moves cursor to beginning/end of document ;
Ctrl + Up/Down arrow Moves cursor up/down one paragraph ;
Ctrl + Left/Right arrow moves cursor one word to left/right ;
Ctrl + Z Undo the last action.;
Tab takes you to the next field (in email or form filling)
Alt + any underlined menu letter e.g. Alt + F for File
Did you know that you can move down the list of links by pressing the Tab key ? Then press Enter to go to a selected site. You can also move down the page by pressing the space bar.... holding shift to move up again.
The RNIB has software that they can install on mobile phones to tell blind people about text messages, battery level etc. They charge £150 to install it. Another rip off for the disabled. Or, ' in certain situations' they can supply a phone free, or you can install the software from a PC. How can anyone charge a blind person £150 just to install some software! When, one day, software is available so I can see what people say on my phone I imagine the RNID will charge deaf people the same, or even more, as the software is more complex.
Do you know about Audio Description on TV ? Audio Description (AD) describes what is happening on-screen using the gaps between dialogue. This helps viewers with visual impairments to follow what is going on. It is available on digital satellite television and Freeview (currently only via the Netgem receiver). Audio descriptions of changes of location, actions, facial expressions, gestures etc give the context and set the scene, and are fitted between dialogue or commentary to avoid interrupting the flow of the programme. The BBC, ITV, Channel Four and Five are committed to audio describing at least 6 per cent of their annual output. Programmes include popular soaps, dramas and comedies. Children's programmes also feature on the service.
DLA Disabled Living Allowances. There are some good films about these with sound, subtitles and BSL The films can be downloaded or a free DVD can be obtained.: Click HERE
LPA stands for Lasting Power of Attorney. Anyone aged 18 or over, with the capacity to do so, can make an LPA appointing one or more Attorneys (people you trust) to make decisions on their behalf. You cannot make an LPA jointly with another person; each person must make his or her own LPA. I have heard that the arrangement for a couple can be in the region of £350. For more detail see http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Mentalcapacityandthelaw/Makingarrangementsincaseyoulosementalcapacity/DG_185921
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State Pensions See next page
Useful Numbers and links. 0800 numbers
are free. 0845 numbers are 'low call'
Citizens Advice Breau Covers
a wide range of topics
Benefit enquiries 0800 88 22 00
EAC (Elderly Advice Counsel )
http://www.eac.org.uk/ 020 780
1343 provides a free, independent, telephone advice service to older people,
their families and people who work with them. See also Housing below.
Energy Efficiency Advice 0800 512 012 (the Energy Saving Trust)
Energywatch 08459 060708
Pension Credits 0800 99 1234
For a pension assessment contact 0845 3000 168 or
www.thepensionservice.gov.uk
Smoking Helpline 0800 169 0 169
Solid Fuel Association 0845 601 4406
Warm Front Scheme (insulation grants) 0800 072 0151
Winter Fuel Payments 08459 15 15 15. (Textphone - for the deaf 0845
601 5613) See
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/Benefits/BenefitsInRetirement/DG_10018657
Winter Warmth Advice + booklet (8 - 8pm) (various languages) 0800 085
7000; (Deaf) Textphone 0800 085 7857
Will Writing from £34:
http://www.halifaxlegalexpress.co.uk/halifax/
The page also offers legal advice at fixed costs
Other legal services can be found at
The Coop and
QualitySolicitors.com (a group
of 150 High Street Solicitors)
Other financial matters are mainly on the Savings page
Warm Front Scheme. Free central heating installation and home
insulation is available to pensioners in England receiving means tested Pension
Credit. Pensioners who do not receive Pension Credit may still get contributions
towards these things. See
http://www.eaga.co.uk Freephone
0800 316 6011.
According to the Saga Magazine 2.5 million over 60's are missing out by not
claiming their Pension Credit. See
The Pensions Service The
government ensures that single 60 year olds have a total income of not less
than £109.45 per week; £167.05 for couples. At 65 this rises
to £151 and £221 respectively (£7852 & £11,492 per
annum). However, the calculation is complex and savings over £6,000
are taken into account, as well as expenses such as mortgages. The
best thing to do is look at the charts on the Pensions Service website. Click
here.
You can apply for Pension Credit by calling the Pension Credit application
line 0800 99 1234, textphone 0800 169 0133 (8am to 8pm Monday to Friday,
9am to 1pm Saturday) or can print a form by going to the site on line.
From April 2005 anyone who deferred drawing their state pension got increases equivalent to 10.4% for every year that they wait, OR you can get a lump sum instead. At current estimates this could be as much as £30,000 for five years' delay (or whatever you didn't draw + 2:% over base rate interest. I really would recommend any healthy 60 year old woman, who is continuing to work, to take advantage of this, which is a better percentage than you could get elsewhere - and, alternatively, could lead to a higher pension for the next 35 years !!
Examples of pension deferral : (1) If you deferred a state pension for 5 years, which would have been, say, £5666 per annum, you would be entitled to a lump sum of £28,330 + whatever cumulative interest accrued - at the current Bank Rate (Feb 07) that would be 7.25% - at least an extra £400. Lump sums are taxable, by the way.
(2) A woman decides to put off claiming her State Pension for 5 years. If, when she comes to claim her pension, the weekly rate she would have been entitled to, if she had not put off claiming, would have been £105 weekly (£5517 p.a.) As she put off claiming for five years and chose extra State Pension, the amount of State Pension she would get every week would be £159.60 (£8268 p.a.). And, in this case, the government actuaries must be going spare as women can reasonably expect to defer for longer and draw a much higher pension for a great deal longer as well. There are not often cases where I actually recommend something... but for a healthy 60 year old woman, who is still enjoying work, it would seem very advantageous to defer drawing the State Pension for at least five years (whether she then takes the lump sum or a higher pension for the next 35 years !)
But be careful. Two out of every five people don't make it to 70 ! And, in some areas of the country this is as much as three out of every five. For longevity live in Cornwall and screw the pension fund for as much as you can !
But, seriously, one can see why pension funds are in trouble with average
life expectancy (males) being around 77 and females being around 81. If the
above quoted lady just deferred her pension to 65, the total average cost
for the rest of her (average) life would be over £132,000 (and rising)
- and that was from a very low starting point. Even if our sample man deferred
to 70, the average male would draw over £200,000 'til he kicked the
bucket. At least he would have the consolation of
not being inundated as a result of global warming !
For a pension assessment contact 0845 3000 168 or the Pensions Service link
above. The Pension Scheme Registry can check if you are due for anything
http://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/
Something like 1.7 million people are not claiming council tax benefit.
Although most of these benefits are 'means tested' to an extent they can
amount to a considerable sum. The rules for Council Tax Benefit are complex.
Take a look at
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/benefits/council_tax_benefit.asp
Overcharged by your Bank or Lender? See
Financial
Page. If you have been charged for insurance on a loan or
purchase in case you were unemployed see notes on The Loan Insurance
Business (PPIs) on that page.
Wrongly Rated ? To check what rating band you and you neighbours are on click HERE and enter your post code and Billing Authority. If you are rated much higher than similar properties you should appeal. I got my rates reduced on appeal. But my Water Rate stayed the same until I opted for a meter.
SOME PENSIONERS ARE MISSING OUT ON PENSIONS AND BENEFITS See also next page (Pensions and Benefits)
OTHER BENEFITS (extracted from the Mail on Sunday 1st August 2010)
HOUSING BENEFITS. Two types : (1) The GUARANTEE CREDIT that tops up weekly income of pensioners to a minimum of £132.60 or £202.40 for couples. (2) There is the SAVINGS CREDIT, which is paid to over 65s and rewards those who have modest savings but live on a low income. See HERE. Anyone who gets the guaranteed element of pension credit should automatically get COUNCIL TAX BENEFIT. Other pensioners with less than £16,000 in savings may also be eligible. Get a claim form from your local council. Council Tax Benefit for over 65s in need of of assistance with personal care is NOT means tested
Bereavement Allowance. This is a single tax free lump sum of £2000 payable immediately to help towards costs arising from bereavement. A widow/widower may be entitled to this if his/her late spouse has paid enough National Insurance contributions and he/she is under 60 when the spouse died or their husband/wife was not getting any state pension when he/she died
Married Couple's Allowance Click on http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/incometax/married-allow.htm You should be getting this tax allowance where at least one of a marriage or civil partnership was born before April 6th 1935. For marriages before December 5th 2005 the allowance goes to the husband. (For marriages on or after that date the allowance goes to person with the higher income. The maximum allowance (2009 - 2010 is £6,965 but this is reduced if the person claiming it is has an income in excess of £22,900. BUT the actual tax saving is only 10% of the allowance i.e. £696.50 (less for high earners). If you do not pay tax and your spouse does then you can transfer any unused allowance. If you think you are not getting this allowance you can write or phone your tax office. Claims can go back as far as the 2004/5 tax year
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Avoiding Inheritance tax. As from October 2007 a substantial change was made in the rules governing Inheritance Tax. Hitherto the value of the estate left by the last survivor of a legal partnership was taxed at the punitive IHT rate of 40% if it was more than £300,000. The 2009 allowance is £325,000 or £650,000 for a couple, as legal partners 'inherit' the partner's tax exemption. This is retrospective, so it applies to partners who died a while ago. But the exemption would only amount to the level that was relevant at the time of their death and would be less any amount that they willed to (say) their children. The site below gives examples and can be consulted as to the level of exception in any particular year.
Before this change people where attempting to avoid inheritance tax on the value of their house by means of the Nil Rate Discretionary Trust. If the value of the house is higher than the new exemption this may still be relevant.
Nil Rate Discretionary Trusts. Though I am sure you should check and arrange this with a solicitor, my understanding is this : Situation: You are married and you wish to keep the tax man's hands off your money when you both die. Your house (and any savings) has increased in value to the point when you think that your children will be faced with a large Inheritance Tax bill. What to do ? You set up a Nil Rate Discretionary Trust in which you, as a couple live as 'tenants in common'. Your spouse and a child can be trustees. On the first death the survivor stays in the house. On their death, both of your IHT allowances are set against the value of the house, and this double tax free element is passed to your children. Currently this would amount to over £650,000.
http://www.tenminutewill.co.uk/main.cgi and http://www.tenminutewill.co.uk/pdfdocs/discretionary_trusts.pdf
For much more information on financial matters click Here
CARE HOMES and Retirement Property Nov. 09 Home Care The government is proposing that around 280,000 older people and disabled adults who need help to carry out basic functions such as dressing, getting out of bed and using the lavatory will receive free care. Another 130,000 frail patients, including stroke sufferers, are to receive support on leaving hospital, with home improvements such as grab rails and panic buttons, allowing them to be discharged earlier. Doubts are being expressed that the £670 million suggested will be insufficient.
For other home care options see http://www.ageuk.org.uk/home-and-care/housing-choices/
Dec 10th '07 The government has announced what it hails as a revolution in social care. Money will now be placed directly into the bank accounts of those entitled to help, meaning they can pick and choose both the kind of care they want and who they want to provide it. So for instance, instead of meals on wheels, an elderly person could - in principle at least - use the money to pay for someone to come in and help with the cooking. Instead of respite care for a disabled person, the money could be spent on a holiday.
The rules on Care Home Fees Last Updated: 21 Feb 2009 (Daily Telegraph) People have to pay for residential care if assets, including their home, fall above “means-testing” limits – set at £22,500 in England and Northern Ireland, £22,000 in Wales and £21,500 in Scotland. Those with assets between £13,000 and the upper limit pay some contribution towards their care. The rules are different if a spouse remains in the home, when the value of the property should be disregarded. Often families hope that by passing property to younger generations they can avoid its inclusion in means tests. However, financial advisers caution against such a move. If councils believe properties have been passed on purely to avoid care fees, they will include them in means tests, and the onus is on the family to prove their motive was otherwise. Some local authorities have won cases when houses were given away more than a decade before parents went into care. See HERE for more detail
In Scotland, elderly people are given £149 a week towards any “personal care” they are assessed as requiring, such as help with washing and dressing. Those in care homes are still means-tested for their accommodation costs. Anyone requiring constant medical care should receive it free, if an application to their local Primary Care Trust or Health Board for “continuing NHS health care” succeeds.
More people are entitled to free basic nursing care. This reduces weekly costs by £100 in Northern Ireland, £117.67 in Wales, £103.80 in England and £67 in Scotland.
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EAC (Elderly Advice Counsel )
http://www.eac.org.uk/ 020 780
1343 provides a free, independent, telephone advice service to older people,
their families and people who work with them.
See also :
http://www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk/
Anchor has more than 40 years experience in working with elderly people.
Browse Anchor online for your care homes :
http://www.anchor.org.uk/retirement-homes-and-care-homes/care-homes/default
http://www.carehome.co.uk/ An
online care home directory with 5,000 Nursing Homes and 15,000 Care
Homes without Nursing
http://www.carehomes.net A Directory of Care Homes, Nursing Homes and
Care Agencies with ernhanced listings, links, maps and contact
information
www.findacarehome.com
http://www.nursinghomestoday.co.uk/
http://www.carehomestoday.co.uk
A free advisory service which lists care homes in each area
http://www.guide2care.com/ A
comprehensive guide to care homes throughout England
http://www.schealthcare.co.uk
SC Care Homes
http://hoop.eac.org.uk/ Housing Options
for Older People.
http://www.housingcare.org/
http://www.carehomesguide.com/
provides an in-depth search facility for all types of retirement, residential
and nursing homes.
www.bettercaring.co.uk
Choose/compare retirement homes.
HEALTH SITES Links to health sites and health information can now be found if you click Here
As well as the 'flu jab it is recommended that the over 65s get an
anti pneumonia jab at the doctor's. Just ask.
A pneumococcal infection can cause septicaemia and meningitis as well as
breathing difficulties.
If you want to check out the cost of surgery or dental treatment abroad take
a look at
http://www.treatmentabroad.net/
DISABILITY HELP
Glasses : Everyone hates to be ripped off and nowhere rips you off more than when you are getting those essentials called glasses (spectacles) There is no need to pay £300 - £500. After all you can get your prescription free from any optician - don't be embarrassed to just ask for it - and look at what is available on the net. See www.glassesdirect.co.uk and www.specs-by-post.com I was interested that the latter will send you your chosen frame with clear lenses. If you like them, you then return them with a photo, so they can pick the correct measurements. You choose the combination of features you like (bi focal, multifocal, anti -reflective, light reactive, stronger, lighter, anti scratch etc) and send them your free prescription. Voila. Who needs an optician ? If you don't save £200 I will eat my fedora.
From July 2008 disabled people have improved rights to fly to and from Europe from your travel agent onwards. See HERE
A new site is the result of cooperation between Age Concern and Help
the Aged. See
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/
http://www.stairlifttrader.com/ Second hand stairlifts. Free
advertising if you have a spare one
www.ucandoit.org.uk.
Computer training for disabled people. A course is available to residents
in Greater London. Tutors also available in Milton Keynes, West Wales,
Merseyside, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Devon, Hampshire, Kent and Sussex. Please
contact the office to confirm that our tutors can cover your area. We charge
£5 per lesson if your household weekly income is £100 or less.
If you receive more than £100 a week our charges will increase.
www.welcomemobility.co.uk
A great site for equipment to help the 'differently abled'
www.vitalise.org.uk Vitalise is
a national charity providing short breaks (respite care) and other services
for disabled people, visually impaired people, and carers.
www.calibre.org.uk
Provide 7000 audio books on free load on tape or in MP3 format on disk.
Very useful for folks with poor vision.
Alert call is a useful facility to ensure that people are 'Up and About'
http://www.alertacall.com/
http://www.cosyfeet.com/
Provide extra wide shoes and slippers.. Mostly around £60
http://www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility/bbc/partnership.shtml
is a BBC site in cooperation with Ability.net and shows how to get the best
out of the net, even for the disabled
http://www.helptheaged.org.uk/ShoppingServices/SeniorLink/_default.htm
A way to contact people in an emergency.
http://www.createwrt.net/. A voluntary
group which aims to help housebound people with creative writing.
Other help for people with disabilities who wish to use a computer can be
found at
http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/myway/
www.abilitynet.org.uk is
a charity which as a useful newsletter and also arranges computer courses
for people with disabilities (of any age). Many of the courses are free.
http://www.youreableshop.co.uk/
Many items to make life easier
www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility/
http://www.benefitsnow.co.uk/
Explains Disability Living Allowance (DLA)and Disability Attendance
Allowances (AA) with a way to assess yourself. Deafness is one of the
disabilities counted providing you are working age but you may have to
appeal.
http://www.btplc.com/age_disability/ Help
from BT
www.essentialaids.com Equipment
for the disabled
www.helpinghand.co.uk Find
suitable equipment
www.im-ok.com. This site would notify
a relative if you DON'T register each morning. It is £40 a year or you
can have a short term arrangement if you think you might need it.
ITcanhelp.org.uk free hardware
and software help and training (contact me also, as I am a registered
trainer).
www.remap.org.uk (free technical equipment
for disabled people).
www.ability.org.uk, Hardware and software kits to help disabled centres
with computing. e.g. Successful Computing for Disabled People CD
Want a map of the UK specifically designed for Blue Badge holders ? £12
from www.the pieguide.com or
call 0870 444 5435. Not just parking but shopping, toilets, beaches, petrol
stations, accommodation.
See also
www.access-ability.co.uk
It is suggested the Blind people should get a page reader. You can
download one from
http://www.browsealoud.com/ or
a new one called Thunder from
www.screenreader.net (XP, NT and
Windows 2000) You may find that downloading the WebbIE browser helps these
programs. Free from
http://www.webbie.org.uk/
All graphics on this site have alternative text
http://www.natstar.ac.uk/ A useful
site for people with impaired vision or muscles.
http://www.rnib.org.uk/softwareaccesscentre.
Software for blind and partially sighted
If you would like a Word Processor that tries to predict what you are writing, try the free Open Office, downloaded from www.computeractive.co.uk/downloads/ and enter Open Office
Do you realise that certain equipment can be bought free of VAT if you are disabled? The following goods may qualify for relief
Certain conditions must be adhered to in order for these supplies to qualify for zero-rating. These conditions include; the design or adaptation of the item, the supply being made to a disabled person for their domestic or personal use and the receipt of an eligibility declaration form. For more information see http://www.hmce.gov.uk/business/vat/disabilityfaqs.htm
EDUCATION and TRAINING
www.niace.org.uk The National
Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) aims to encourage all adults
to engage in learning of all kinds.
www.calibre.org.uk
Provide 7000 audio books on free load on tape or in MP3 format on disk.
Very useful for folks with poor vision.
http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses
www.open2.net or phone 0800 77 1234
to book your Free Internet starter session with the government sponsored
UKonline
www.itcanhelp.org.uk
ITCH. Free help for disabled people with hardware and software problems.
A volunteer can visit you at home (I am one!) If you have IT skills
you can volunteer. Travelling expenses paid to volunteers..
www.free-ed.net Free courses in
almost everything.
www.learndirect.co.uk
http://www.education.gov.uk/
www.bbc.co.uk/learning/
www.open.ac.uk Open University
http://u3a.org.uk (University of the Third
Age)
HOUSEHOLD (Energy, telephones, Insurance)
October 2010 - Another site that helps people at home or with their business to save on their energy costs is electricityprices that provides all the up to date and latest tariffs on offer from all the major energy companies in the UK.
See
www.thisismoney.co.uk/householdbills
and Moneysavingsexpert
A very useful site for comparing power prices is
www.uswitch.com Very simple to use.
(Updated June 2010) E-0n have a Staywarm scheme for pensioners
(or people or low incomes) which sets a monthly amount you pay regardless
of the gas and electricity you use. see....
HERE
To set up an account telephone them on 0800 404 6287. But it is not necessarily
the cheapest. EON have several variations on how to save by things like on
line billing, one year contracts and dual fuel. It is best to look
at their site HERE as things
keep changing. By various means I managed to obtain a discount of over 27%,
which is worth having.
I recently took up a local authority offer to check my house for energy efficiency. We had wall insulation done 30 years ago and wondered whether it was still there. He checked and reassured us that is was. There was no charge. He didn't offer to pay for double glazing !
USwitch can reveal that electricity suppliers are charging customers in their “home” or incumbent regions – where they used to be the local supplier, up to £54 more than customers in other areas. Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at www.uswitch.com says: “Tactical regional pricing is a tax on loyalty. Electricity suppliers are treating local longstanding customers like cash cows, using them to subsidise the more competitive prices they are offering to new customers in other regions.” Customers are urged to compare deals in their region and switch to a cheaper deal. With savings of around 16% available, switching can make regional pricing work to your advantage.
For updates on the cheapest fuel prices see
http://www.energyhelpline.com/
The Energy Saving Trust can tell
you about insulation grants from power companies and councils in your area.
Tap in your postcode. The site also leads to one with information about
grants to enable you to install other energy saving devices such as solar
panels and electricity generating equipment. The grants, which ran out quickly
each month have been doubled since the April 07 budget.
See
http://www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk/ for more information.
The problem with solar heated water systems in the UK is that they may
only save you £50 a year and cost £3000 - £4500. Years ago
I developed one for a great deal less than that and it served me well for
10 years before rusting out ! Details on request.
OFTEL (telephones) also recommends
www.uswitch.com, who are allowed
to help you change. It only takes a few minutes and can save you tens of
pounds a month, particularly if you phone abroad a lot. Check for the cheapest
gas and electricity supplier. The
Energy Saving Trust can tell you about grants (up to £2,000)
from power companies and councils in your area. Tap in your postcode.
www.nationalexpress.com/over60
If you are over 60 you qualify for 50% off bus fares. No coach card
needed.
TV Licenses. Free to over 75s. At 74 you should get a reduced
rate. Registered blind people pay 50%
GENERAL INSURANCE (For Travel insurance see my Travel Page HERE)
insurance64.co.uk This is a good site to help you comapre insurance of various kinds
Castle Cover Specialise in
over 50s insurance. Car,
Home, Pet etc
Castle is a broker. So, what's a broker ? He is someone
who will find the best deal for you from wherever it can be found. He gets
a commission from the insurance company (not from you)
Castle have kindly sent me the following article :
LIFE INSURANCE
Concerned over your lack of life insurance? Compare quotes side by side from the UK's leading life insurance companies. Click to get - Life insurance quotes
Insurance for Senior Citizens
Insurance is essential in anyone's life no matter what your age. To find a motor insurance and house insurance policy for your needs for the best value requires a sufficient amount of research. There are many offers and policies available in the market. Obtaining quotes from a variety of insurance companies to get the policy capable in your budget. Senior citizens are usually on a fixed income or depending on their retirement funds so getting a cost effective cheap insurance policy is important.
Begin your search for a satisfactory insurance company by enquiring with friends and family. Senior friends and family may also have recommendations about which companies they trust for their car insurance and home insurance policies. Once you ask an insurance company for a quote don't be tempted into signing or agreeing to something unless you're comfortable.
With regards motor insurance, seniors will find a good deal or get a discount if they have an older well maintained car. Car insurance companies provide lower premiums for older vehicles because they will cost much less to replace in the event of an accident. If you make the effort of installing additional safety features within your vehicle such as dual airbags, an alarm system and anti-lock brakes then most insurance companies can work out a discount for you. The safer and secure your car is, the least likely it will get stolen or cause an accident. On the whole many insurance companies believe older drivers are more careful so they have a chance at cheaper premiums for their motor insurance policy. With a clean driving record a discount on their car insurance policy may be able to be obtained. Enrolling in a refresher driving course can also enable further discounts.
Home insurance is similar to car insurance in many ways. Adapting safety and security aspects such as fire alarms, smoke activated sprinkler systems, burglary alarms and other enhanced technology into your home will give you the desired discount on your home insurance. If you are a non smoker you get an even better offer because you reduce the risk of a fire accident from destroying your house. Special offers are given to customers already holding an insurance policy with a company for many years. So make sure your loyalty is rewarded if you have other insurance policies with the company you're looking at.
The largest over 50s insurance providers in the UK currently are Saga and RIAS, there are also many other senior citizen related sites that offer insurance as an affiliated product. It is also worth checking other well known insurers who are renowned as the most competitive according to recent industry research, such as Swift Cover and Kwik-Fit Insurance. Insurers who market themselves as over 50s insurance providers are not always the best value and not always suited to your exact needs, therefore general insurers should not be overlooked. Other useful tools to use are insurance comparison sites such as Go-compare and other specialist comparison sites such as Confident Cover who provide comparisons from over 50s providers. All these factors should be considered before selecting the correct insurance policy for you.
Recommended by a 60+ site visitor :
www.cornhilldirect.co.uk
HOME INSURANCE. There are so many companies one needs to shop
around. Here are some comparison sites :
http://www.homeinsurance.co.uk/
http://www.homeinsurancesaver.co.uk/
http://www.uk-home-insurance.org.uk/
also
https://www.saga.co.uk/finance/household/
End of article
MISCELLANEOUS
Security Tip : Anything with a serial number, such as a mobile phone, a laptop, a bike or an mp3 player, will have a serial number – this can be entered into the National Property Database through www.immobilise.com . If the registered item is lost or stolen then recovered by police, officers can search the database and reunite you with your property. Items can also be postcode marked with UV pens or SmartWater
www.GiveMyLifeMeaning.com
You can join in this one
Gardening
http://www.landscapejuice.com/
www.myguide.gov.uk. The government
site for easy searching and easy email
http://www.cosyfeet.com/
Provide extra wide shoes and slippers.. Mostly around £60
http://www.friendshipdirect.com/
- find friendship and romance at 50+
http://www.thepensionersparty.org/index.html
A political party to represent the interests of pensioners
www.teachingart.co.uk
http://www.retirement-matters.co.uk/index2.htm
Writing a will
www.saa.co.uk Sites dedicated to helping
people with their art hobby.
www.timecapsule.co.uk Age Concern
site where people can share memories of bygone days. You can email them material
at timecapsule@ace.org.uk
.
News, Weather and Football + Google
searches
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/main.jhtml
The Telegraph for Ex-Pats
www.hmrc.gov.uk/cnr Site for government
information for Ex-Pats
http://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/
Is a government site which enables you to find tradesmen in your
area
QUIZES
www.coolquiz.com
www.quizzing.co.uk
www.playbabble.com (Word
game)
CROSSWORDS
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/myday/crossword/
http://search.bbc.co.uk/cgi-bin/search/results.pl?q=crossword
SHOPPING and Comparative Shopping (comparing
prices)
How about www.howtocomplain.com
www.helptheaged.org.uk/homeshopping
www.tesco.com (delivery
£5) www.Iceland.co.uk (Do
delivery) www.waitrose.co.uk :
www.gooshing.co.uk (ethical),
www.pricegrabber.co.uk,
www.dealtime.co.uk,
www.bizrate.co.uk,
www.computeractive.co.uk (click
shopping), http://www.amazon.co.uk,
www.shopsafe.co.uk,
Froogle,
www.kelkoo.com
www.pricewatch.co.uk
uk.shopping.com
www.tooboo.com
Letsbuyit.com
www.buy.com (John Lewis)
www.bigsave.co.uk
www.toysrus.co.uk
Computing Stuff : www.ebuyer.co.uk
www.sears.ca will deliver
things to Canadian addresses on your Visa card.
OTHER SILVER SURFERS SITES - see also work related at
end.
http://www.ageconcern.org.uk/AgeConcern/ageism.asp A page about your rights re Ageism
http://www.findcarejobs.co.uk/
A site for people looking for Care Jobs
www.monster.co.uk
Employment site
http://diversity.monster.co.uk/section180.asp
(Age Page)
www.wrinklies.org
Employment site based in Brighton.
Specifically for older people.
www.reach-online.org.uk
Volunteer your managerial or professional skills
www.jobability.com :
Advice on employment if you have a disability
taen@helptheaged.org.uk
(E-mail.) Third Age Employment Network
www.csv-rsvp.org.uk:
Branch of CSV (Community Service Volunteers) for
retired volunteers
www.recruitmagazine.co.uk
40plus@ji5.co.uk
(E-mail) 40 Plus
Recruitment
http://www.workingwithouthearing.com/s/stories.htm
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