There's a difference between pensioners directly helping out blood relatives and pensioners being okay with the government laying a fair proportion of austerity on to them. Most are happy to do the former (if they can afford it) but unhappy at the prospect of the latter.
I don't think anyone really wants to see unfair changes made, but surely means-testing has to become a feature of pensioner benefits? How much taxpayer money is wasted annually on those pensioners who don't need free bus passes, winter fuel allowance and a state pension? I don't think anyone really agrees that it's a fair system, but it is unfortunately one that's difficult to police without getting in to politically sensitive areas (e.g. should someone have to sell their home to fund their living costs in old age? Or is property exempt from any means testing?).
I am approaching pension age (62) and agree that most pensioner benefits should be means tested (or even depreciated over time).
I do not agree that the state pension should be. It establishes a basic income for everyone and probably well over 99% of people would need it. Most people will factor in the state pension when calculating their pension income. Pensioners still pay tax throughout their retirement if they earn more than the standard allowances.
Allowing pensioners to earn a little more income from savings is beneficial to all as it allows them to spend assisting the economy also it means that if social care is necessary they would likely have to pay for most of it.
The return on the £10k cap bond is £400pa on the longer period comparable with a typical return of £200 on current rates. Not a huge amount of money per week, about £4.00, for someone on a fixed income.