They have, and of course the money should be there for them if they need it. But in a time of austerity, in the spirit of all being in it together, you could make the case that those old people that are wealthy enough to get by without it, should. After all, this is a generation that enjoyed the free education and healthcare for most of their lives that is now being taken away from the younger generation. I dont think there is much reason to feel sorry for the elderly at this stage, they have had a very sweet deal compared to what younger people are facing. And, again, this is not about taking pensions away from the vulnerable elderly, its about means testing the state pension.