Letter: Pensioners have right to 'benefit'

Sunday 21 February 1993 00:02 GMT

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FURTHER to Donald Macintyre's Political Commentary ('Tackling the means-test taboo', 14 February), I wish that the word 'benefit' would be replaced by 'entitlement'. Pensioners have paid their contributions for years and it is unthinkable for this or any other government to 'do a Maxwell'.

The financial status of the recipient of his or her pension is irrelevant and where it applies, it is taxable income. Means-testing is only justified when additional financial help is required.

Herbert K Nolan

Hove, Sussex

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