What is a good salary?

If only your last line was true !

Its a joke that you've paid in 43yrs and yet you will get no more than someone who has only paid in 35yrs. If you put more in, you should get more back out, even if those other 8yrs are at a reduced rate.
Depends how long one lives for.

If the contributor of 43 years was a woman who claimed state pension age at age 60 and died age 90 she will get a lot more "back" than a man who contributed for 35 years, claims state pension at age 68 and dies age 69.

The state pension is a form of Ponzi scheme.
 
Not read through the thread but my answer to the question that the OP asked is 50k with a joint household income of around 80k if your married, kids etc.

That should cover a nice house, running a decent car (or two), get you a couple of holidays a year, pay for all activities or hobbies all the family might have and save a few bob for the future.

I bet there are plenty however that most, if not all the above on less but I'd say that today 50k is what I'd consider a good salary.
 
Totally dependent on outgoings, as I’m sure has been said already.

The guy I know with the most disposable income hasn’t worked for years. Finished early on ill health. Has a couple of modest pensions and gets some PIP etc. But his outgoings are about £50 a week.

I work with other people who earn £70K, have wives in decent jobs and are still always crying poverty. Mainly because they insist on living in a castle and driving round in a tank that they pay extortionate amounts for each month.
And this is exactly why its a difficult, almost impossible question to answer.

It really depends on perspective. If your the type that has a genuine lack of interest in any expensive things then I'm sure you tootle by with a very modest salary and live comfortably in your bubble.

But if like most, you enjoy things like travelling, nice clothes, meals out etc then your going to struggle on a wage at the lower end of the scale, especially if you've got rent or a mortgage to pay. However, if your crying poverty whilst earning 70k a year then something has gone very wrong and there's a need to re evaluate.
 
There are too many planks on here who think their NI contributions pay for their state pensions.
They don’t.
Their NI contributions pay for today’s pensioners.
To qualify for any state pension paid by tomorrow’s workers you need 10 years contributions yourself and 35 for a full state pension.
Its pays for more than just the pensions that are being drawn by the current crop of pensioners albeit that its the lions share of the £198Bn. It also covers maternity pay and job seekers allowance amongst other things. Plus if its in surplus at the end of the fiscal year it can be used by the government for other purposes such as paying down the national debt.

That said I do feel that those who contribute over an extended period beyond the minimum qualifying period for the full state pension should see at least a small reward for their extra efforts in supporting the nation, it just seems a bit more meritocratic.
 
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I'm 35 and resigned to the fact there either won't be a state pension, or the age you can take it will be too late. I think the government effectively acknowledged this too when they brought in auto enrollment onto company pension schemes a few years back.

The younger generation (which I include myself) really need to ensure they are contributing a good amount of their salary or they will have to work until they die. But it's difficult when salaries are relatively low, and cost of living is high.
I don't know why but I always thought you were an FOC. 35!!! (No offence pal)
 
I suppose its what you need plus a bit for a rainy day. Difficult to put an actual figure on it because everyone's different. All down to needs and wants....
Trouble is that we don't all share the same perspective. One person's definition of 'the basics' could be another person's definition of living on the breadline or even poverty.
 
Trouble is that we don't all share the same perspective. One person's definition of 'the basics' could be another person's definition of living on the breadline or even poverty.
So it's a hypothetical question, there is technically no definitive answer. I could earn 100k and spend 110k....I'm in the shit and the salary is shite, I could earn 40k and spend 30k, I'm in front and the salary is OK yet on the surface 100k is far better than 40k.
 
I don't think it is that difficult to make a reasonable starting point on this:

To be able to afford a mortgage on the average UK house - price 270k - repayment 1200 pm (250k mortgage)

Food per month - £300

Utilities and Council tax - 400 a month.

Insurance 100

As a starting point, that is 2000 a month net salary

That is for a single person.
 
I don't think it is that difficult to make a reasonable starting point on this:

To be able to afford a mortgage on the average UK house - price 270k - repayment 1200 pm (250k mortgage)

Food per month - £300

Utilities and Council tax - 400 a month.

Insurance 100

As a starting point, that is 2000 a month net salary

That is for a single person.
What about alcohol, entertainment, transport, clothing, sky, mobile, holidays etc
 

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