Discussions over the contents of the Autumn Budget are in full flow and now is the time to influence MPs. Over 400,000 pensioners started paying tax for the first time this tax year and unless the lower tax threshold is unfrozen similar numbers will be affected in future years. We will soon be in the ridiculous situation that the basic state pension itself will become taxable for the majority of us. 

We are therefore asking every signatory to this petition to act to support our campaign on the old age tax trap by lobbying your MP. You can find the contact details of your MP on the following link and always give your name and full address so that they know you are one of their constituents. 

https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP 

Personal emails are always best but here is a template you can use if you don't have time! Many thanks for your support. Dennis

Dear MP

As one of your constituents, and a state pensioner, I am asking you to write to the Chancellor in advance of the November Budget, to urge her to raise the lower tax threshold for pensioners. The continued freezing of the personal allowance is drawing more and more older people into paying tax for the first time. This tax year an additional 420,000 pensioners started paying tax for the first time and about 9 million retirees in the UK are now paying some tax. This old age tax trap will bring in hundreds of thousands more pensioners for each year that the frozen threshold remains in place. We are now very close to a situation where the top rate of the new state pension will be above the personal allowance, leading to the illogical position of the state pension security net being taxed, without the individual having any other income. 

It makes no sense for our very low state pension (relative to other developed countries) to be taxed, as it provides a bare subsistence level only. The average weekly earnings in the UK stand at £724 per week and even the adult minimum wage for a 35-hour week provides £427 per week. In contrast, the top rate of the new state pension stands at £230 per week, and the old state pension (which most pensioners still receive) is a lowly £176 per week. So, most pensioners are expected to survive on a weekly state pension income four times lower than the average wage! To then mandate that this income will be taxed in future, will plunge many more older people into desperation and poverty. 

Silver Voices, the UK campaign organisation for the over 60s, has a petition calling for this old age tax trap to be closed in the Budget, which has received massive support (see link below). Please lobby the Chancellor on my behalf. 

https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-state-pension-being-taxed-raise-tax-threshold-support-colette 

Yours sincerely 

(your name and address)