TIME TO SPLASH OUT ?...

Had an official letter from HM Gov. the other day. It said,

"Now that you are approaching 80 you are entitled to a higher amount of state pension.  Age Addition of 25p per week will be payable from your 80th birthday.  If you think the decision is wrong, please get in touch with us by telephone or in writing within one month of the date of this letter........"

It goes on at some length about the appeal procedure and what to do if you want to take it further, which looks pretty complicated and may simply be designed to deter malcontent octogenarians form going down that road.

Anyway, a little research has revealed that this `bonus` has been frozen at  25p ever since it was introduced by the Heath Government in 1971 - all of 48 years ago.   It adds up to £13 a year and if it had even kept pace with inflation it would now be worth £191 a year.   Not many lives will be changed by that I fear.

Now I really don`t want to appear ungrateful - after all, every little helps to us elderly pensioners struggling to survive on a fixed income - but we are a bit limited as to what we can spend the 25p on - a packet of paracetamol, a small roll of sellotape, a small packet of tissues. a Cadburys Freddo - but if you set that against the cost to HM Gov. of sending out the letters, maintaining the computer programme, dealing with the appeals procedure (never mind the complaints and senior grumbles) it really does make me wonder whether it`s all worth it.

There`s a collection box up the shop on the lookout for donations to good causes.  Maybe I`ll splash out by popping £1 in each month. I`m all heart!!