I am angry!

I sense the anger of those people who have always done their best to be self-supporting and who take nothing from the state.

Really, the best policy for youngsters is to become bums. MY three children have worked hard at school, never broken the law, gone onto university, graduated and found themselves in terrible student debt (at the age of 21 - it's iniquitous.) They've worked as they've studied, expecting no hand outs, as I retired from my career recently on health grounds.

Can they find jobs now, which require no experience and will give them training? No. So they stack shelves in supermarkets, and serve in bars.

Me? On retiring after 30 years at the chalk face, working in tough inner city schools (by choice) I find now that I have no disposable income at all. My savings have gone. My poor health means I can no longer hold down a job, but am I entitled to any state support now my income is severely reduced? No. Y'see, I did the sensible thing and saved whilst working and paid into an occupational pension scheme. MY paltry pension, which I live on, doesn't meet the monthly costs, and my children, encouraged to better themselves don't count as dependents, even though they'll NEVER be able to afford to buy properties of their own. So - I have used my savings to bolster the current account - and have NO disposable income at all. I am not entitled to any state benefits, because my meagre pension is deemed enough for a single person.....a responsible mother who owns her own modest house, through didnt of hard work whilst raising her children.

I can't afford petrol for my car, nor the price of a cup of coffee when I go out. I have no money at all once I have paid the bills. I cut my own hair even. I haven't bought a pair of shoes for myself for three years. I could cry. The savings have gone, just on keeping us going and getting the kids through university.

On the rare occasions I go into town I see young mothers having meals out, buying clothes....I see people unable to speak english paying for things with £50 notes....

OK, so I make assumptions....but I have the roof over my head, which I slogged my guts out for....and no income at all once the bills are paid. I am poor but not entitled to a bean from the state even though I have paid vast amounts in taxes for the last three decades. I still pay taxes on my occupational pension.

My legacy to the kids? Nothing...perhaps my debts. The house will be sold to pay for care I may need in old age. I dare say the state pension will be means tested when I reach 65 in tenyears time, so I shant get that, even though I have done my best and paid my dues all my working life.

What's it all about?

Advice? Become feckless...because then the State bends over backwards to accomodate you, whether you have contributed to the coffers or not. Had I been a druggie council housed mother with several boyfriends and a string of children by them, and then claimed I had a bad back, all would be found for me - including my care in old age. I'd have disposable income too, to buy fags and have holidays and a plasma screen TV....My kids might be illiterate and roaming the streets and getting into trouble, but who cares? They get benefits and can afford to drink, smoke and doss about.

I am describing someone I know btw - and she and her latest boyfriend are off to Tenerife shortly, for two weeks in the sun, at the taxpayers expense.

I do sound bitter. I am sorry.

However - don't work. There is no point.

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