A Better Deal for Pensioners

"East Dunbartonshire has a growing elderly population. Our plans for a Citizen's Pension will help local people by giving them a decent pension as a right. My generation owes a huge amount to pensioners who lived through economic depression, world war, and rationing, to give us the country we have today."

The Lib Dem Citizen's Pension

The Lib Dems set out plans to transform Britain's inadequate and complex state pensions system, with the introduction of a universal Citizen's Pension.

The Liberal Democrats would pay for these reforms by making tough choices on the pension age and reform of public sector pensions. Specifically:

- scrapping the State Second Pension and cutting back means-tested benefits;

- increasing the state pension age to 67, with a 25 year lead in time before anyone is affected;

- reforming public sector pensions to put them on a more sustainable footing.

The Liberal Democrats also want to boost private savings, with all employees being automatically enrolled in non-state pensions, with a right to opt out.

Jo believes that these reforms are vital for the millions of women and carers who will be retiring over the next 20 years that the Government establishes a Citizen's Pension.

Sign the petition supporting a fairer Citizen's Pension

Could you be entitled to a boost to your pension?

• Have you reached pension age in the last ten years? (Are you a woman in your 60s or a man aged 65-74?)

• Are you currently drawing a basic state pension of less than the maximum figure of £87.30 per week?

• Were you of working age for one or more years from 1996-97 to 2001-02 and didn't pay a year of National Insurance contributions?

Jo Swinson is asking local pensioners who have retired within the last 10 years to contact her to check whether they are eligible for extra money through a little-publicised government scheme. The scheme allows pensioners to fill 'gaps' in their record of National Insurance contributions, sometimes at no cost to themselves. Click on the news story below to find out more and get in touch with Jo if you think you apply.

3 Most Recent Stories From Jo Swinson News Stories

Wed 12th Mar 2008:

Raw deal for poorer children and pensioners in budget

Jo Swinson has described Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling's first budget as failing poorer children and vulnerable pensioners.

Fri 15th Feb 2008:

Women's Land Army veterans urged to get the recognition they deserve

Jo Swinson is urging local female war veterans to have their efforts recognised by applying for a new commemorative badge.

Thu 11th Oct 2007:

Cash windfall could await local pensioners

Hundreds of women pensioners in East Dunbartonshire could be entitled to claim a big boost to their state pensions, Jo Swinson has said.

Earlier Stories

Complete archive on the official site

Jo Swinson News Stories, provided by Prater Raines Ltd http://www.praterraines.co.uk/.

(c) 2008 Jo Swinson

Jo Swinson MP's record of action for pensioners

- Worked to highlight the issue of pensioner poverty amongst women

- Campaigning to Axe the Council Tax which hits pensioners more

- Campaigning for local Post Offices and to save the Post Office Card Account

Are you missing out on Pension Credit?

Figures uncovered by Jo Swinson MP and the Lib Dems estimate that as many as 3000 pensioners in East Dunbartonshire are missing out on Pension Credit money that is rightfully theirs.

Pension Credit up-take campaign

Axe the Council Tax

Jo Swinson and Lib Dems are calling for an end to the unfair Council Tax. The Council Tax was brought in by the Tories and continued by Labour. The Liberal Democrats believe it is an unfair tax because it is not based on people's ability to pay. This means that people on fixed incomes, such as pensioners, are hit particularly hard.

Jo commented, "The unfair Council Tax must go. A fairer way of raising money for local services would be a Local Income Tax, based on ability to pay."

Axe the Tax campaign website