People frequently complain about the number of assessments that are required to claim individual benefits and allowances.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Trials for disabled benefits plan

Meanwhile, in France, women are toughing it out with free all-day childcare, per-child tax benefits and allowances, four-month paid maternity leaves and a state-paid personal trainer to get back in shape after childbirth.

FORBES: French Women Don't Get Fat And American Women Don't Get Benefits

"Historically, domestic partners of Foreign Service members have not been provided the same training, benefits, allowances and protections that other family members receive, " the notice says.

CNN: Benefits proposed for same-sex partners of U.S. diplomats

He argued that he could have claimed a lot more money by either designating his larger constituency residence in Somerset as his second home or been open about his relationship and claimed for other allowances and partner benefits - which he did not.

BBC: David Laws deserved second chance, David Cameron says

If the government had merely increased tax allowances and benefits in line with inflation since 1997, said the work and pensions secretary, James Purnell, there would be 1.7m more poor children in Britain today.

ECONOMIST: Defining poverty is hard. Eliminating it is harder

The lower castes also lose out on generous benefits, such as transport allowances, company pensions, subsidised insurance and paid holiday (though regular workers have long been pressured not to use it, to show dedication to the company).

ECONOMIST: The perils of a frigid labour market

"I feel like when things get tough and the economy goes and they look at cuts they immediately take benefits or pay or housing allowances, " said Vicky Cody, author of "Your Soldier, Your Army: A Parent's Guide", the wife of retired Army Gen.

CNN: Military pay in play in game of political poker