Last month Yes Kirkintilloch, Lenzie and the Villages brought together a panel of experts to talk about pensions in an independent Scotland. This is an important topic given that so many pension-age Scots are not yet convinced about independence.
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Triple-lock on state pensions
There has been renewed publicity paid just recently to the future of the triple-lock on state pensions.
This is the committment made some time ago that annual increases will be whichever is the greatest of :- the rate of inflation, the change in the Consumer Prices Index, and 2.5%. Both the Conservatives and Labour have said they will discontinue the triple-lock in the near future, whereas the SNP have made it clear that, in an independent Scotland, an SNP Government would maintain it indefinitely. Pensioners in Scotland do not really need any more reason than this for voting SNP and for Independence, but just in case more incentive is required, what about protecting your free ‘bus passes, because if we elect another Tory Government at Westminster that is hell-bent on more austerity measures, you can be sure retired people’s bus passes will be in the firing line next !
British pensioners in Spain worry Brexit could force them to return to UK
Spain is home to more than 100,000 British pensioners. Most moved there many years ago to enjoy their retirement with the understanding that they would be able to export their pension and healthcare rights with them. But since the UK’s vote to leave the European Union, these rights are no longer guaranteed.
Of course if Scotland stays in the EU, Scottish pensioners in Spain and the rest of the EU would have their pension guaranteed.
At present, the maximum British state pension of around £480 a month is barely enough to cover living costs and is low by European standards – in comparison the Spanish state pension averages around €900 (£790) a month. An independent Scotland could easily do better.
See also: What a ‘no deal’ Brexit would mean for healthcare of British pensioners in Spain