THE cynical have argued that the Prime Minister’s promise to protect pensioners’ benefits is nothing more than an electoral ruse.
I’m not sure that’s the correct interpretation.
As David Cameron said this week: “If you've worked hard during your life, saved, paid your taxes, done the right thing, you deserve dignity when you retire.”
I can see the argument for means testing pensioners and removing benefits like the winter fuel allowance, TV licences and bus passes from the wealthiest five per cent to spend elsewhere, but consider this.
First, the Institute of Fiscal Studies has already shown that means testing will cost almost as much as it saves.
So, taking from the few will benefit almost no one.
Second, it could be argued that pensioners are already doing their bit to reduce the deficit.
The raising of the state pension age has saved half a trillion pounds.
And, from now on, the ‘triple lock’ system, agreed by all three parties, promises a minimum annual 2.5 per cent increase in the state pension.
This no doubt brings peace of mind to millions of pensioners, whether well off or not, who are all too vulnerable to a change in their circumstances, not least health.
Interestingly, the cost of universal benefits forms only a tiny part - three per cent - of the overall welfare budget.
All this has meant that, for the first time since the 1960s, pensioners are no longer the poorest in society.
Surely, this is to be welcomed.
Having contributed all their lives, pensioners should enjoy some security in retirement, and is it not a mark of the kind of country we are?
Let’s face it, we are talking about our grandparents and parents, to whom we owe so much.