Why? Elderly Flashcards
No private source of income
Many pensioners are poor because they have no private income and are dependent on state pensions. This is because when they were in work these poorer pensioners had irregular and low paid work, and lacked the ability to defer gratification by investing in savings for their old age
Marxists claim that poverty amongst the elderly reflects social class inequality. They claim there are ‘two nations’ of the elderly, the wealthy with private pensions and investments and the poor who are dependent on an inadequate state pension. This division reflects the differences that pensioners faced in working life, with the wealthy having secure employment, private pension schemes
People retire in their 50’s or are made redundant in the 40’s or 50’s, it greatly increases their chances of poverty in old age as they have less opportunity to invest and build up savings in a pension fund
The benefits system does not adequately support pensioners
Many pensioners are not aware of what benefits are available to them and how they can claim benefits. Help the Aged say that around two-fifths of pensioner households entitled to Council Tax Benefit - and a third of those entitled to Pension Credit - are not claiming them
Lack of knowledge about the complicated systems, an assumption they will not be entitled, negative attitudes to claiming benefits such as feeling too proud or embarrassed to claim, or because people are put off by the complexity of the processes of applying for benefits
The benefits system does not adequately support pensioners
Moreover, the benefits that do exist may not cater for all the needs of the elderly
Although pensioners have a winter fuel allowance, this does not stop them from suffering from fuel poverty; this is defined as spending more than 10% of household income on fuel.
fuel poverty is a widespread problem with hundreds of elderly people dying from health problems caused by cold and damp living conditions.
