In a poll that ran from 4pm on Monday, May 15, to 11am on Thursday, May 18, Express.co.uk asked readers: “Is the state pension enough to live on in retirement?”
Overall, 2,297 readers responded with the overwhelming majority, 97 percent (2,224 people) said “no” it is not enough, while just three percent (57 people) said “yes”. A further 16 people said they did not know either way.
In the comments left below the accompanying article, readers participated in a lively debate on the value of the state pension.
The overwhelming argument was that the state pension is not sufficient, with username pollywollydoodle commenting: “The state pension is appalling. Why can’t the UK respect our pensioners and look after them.”
Likewise, username mrmoan said: “The UK state pension is pathetic and doesn’t even come close to providing a basic standard of living.”
Another, username Basaria agreed writing: “It’s nowhere near enough to live on.” They added: “Some of my neighbours are struggling on the state pension, and worry themselves sick over their heating bills.”
However, other readers noted that several factors influenced the value for money Britons got from their state pension. Username imaginaryskywizard said: “Depends on your lifestyle and where you live. It’s impossible to put a blanket figure on it.”
To support pensioners, the Conservative Government introduced the triple lock guarantee in 2010 to ensure that the state pension increased by the highest of inflation, average earnings increase or 2.5 percent.
From April the state pension increased by a record 10.1 percent and is reportedly set to increase by a further seven percent next spring, in line with September’s forecasted inflation rate.
This will mean that the full state pension will increase by £742 to £11,342 while the basic rate will increase by more than £500 to £8,691.
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