In addition to those who have particularly low incomes who get significant help from governments in their old age - and rightly so - there is a second group, the one which certainly causes the most resentment.
These are the people who have never been on a particularly low income but everything that they have ever earned has been frittered away without bothering to save.
The third group consists of those like myself who are on moderate incomes who have saved and been careful all of their lives then find that when the 'crunch' comes of old age problems or chronic illness - the government will viciously penalise you for care costs. In the meantime, the members of the second group - and least worthwhile of the three - can smirk quietly and smugly to themselves as their lack of assets turns into a plus point!
SO. Please start financial planning in this field and, for the middle classes who have paid their taxes, you must also consider the ravages of inheritance tax.
Government: "Oh. Somebody in your family has died? Okay give us a big wedge of your family's hard-earned and carefully saved dosh!"
Scandal, innit?
PLAN NOW - NOT LATER! If you do not have an independent financial adviser, then GET ONE! Read this for your own sake:
