Windows Live Mail and Windows Live Messenger - Problems?

MS has announced that it is phasing out Windows Live Messenger. (Although the exact details are a bit sketchy and/or ambiguous.)

Does this affect Windows Live Mail - i.e., does WLM depend on Messenger? (Please note: I'm not referring to Windows Live Hotmail.) Or is WLM independent of Messenger? I remember a number of times I've seen the two mentioned in one place together.

Also, I understand that WLM isn't a part of Win8, but will this affect the Win7 version? Or is that still TBD? I have no plans to move to a touch environment, and so no need for Win8.

Thanks to all.