The good old days when you could retire with a pension at age 65 are a thing of the past.

After the Federal Government changed the law and raised the age threshold at which Australians can access the pension, Aussies now have to wait two more years till the age of 67.

Given the circumstances, it's unsurprising that this news was met with intense backlash—union bosses and Australians nearing retirement age were both very vocal in their criticism of the new regulations.

The topic of retirement age and eligibility for the age pension requires thoughtful consideration, taking into account the diverse needs of Australian workers and their retirement plans. Credit: Shutterstock.

For instance, the Construction Forestry Maritime Mining Energy Union (CFMEU) NSW secretary Darren Greenfield highlighted the effect the law change would have on hardworking labourers.

In his words, 'In construction, they do a lot of the heavy lifting of the structure, concreters, steel fixers, scaffolders, it is very labour intensive work. A lot of their bodies burn out by 50 to 55.'

'By the time they get to 60, it is a nightmare for them not to be able to retire.'

Daniel Walton, the National Secretary of the Australian Workers Union, was also worried about blue-collar workers who may have difficulty working until they retire because of physical limitations.

He wanted to draw attention to the fact that their work can be tough on their bodies, which makes it difficult for them to keep working as they get older.

This news affected more than just the typical tradesperson's retirement age—it obviously affected the whole country. So it's not shocking to see seniors from various backgrounds outraged over the issue.

The comments left on the news story are undoubtedly poignant. They brought forth some pertinent points about our outdated retirement policies and how things could be done better.

​

For example, it was argued that it simply isn't right for everyone to have to wait until they're 67, regardless of their personal circumstances and the type of work they do.

'The retirement age should not be a one size fits all; it should be a reflection of your work life,' commented one pensioner.

'Years of doing hard physical work and hard emotional work should be taken into account and used to reduce your retirement age. This is what they do in France, and they even take into consideration how many children you have brought up.'

Moreover, another brought up a controversial side to the issue—the glaring discrepancies between the retirement age of politicians and the average Aussie worker.

'The politicians don't care. They do two terms & they are on a lifelong pension, plus they are able to access their superannuation. They are hoping the average worker drops in their tracks so they don't have to pay out any pensions. We know what's going on. They just think we don't & they couldn't care less,' they said.

We have discussed the highly debated issue of the increased Age Pension here in the SDC forum, and many of our members have shared their perspectives on the matter.

Member Rhondda@Benjji commented: 'Why did we pay taxes all those years? It was for the pension. They keep raising the age every few years, and it's not fair to the people who reach the age only to have it change.'

Meanwhile, member @DanB said, 'I quite like the idea of giving the incentive of Pension Age people to stay longer in employment by way of tax concessions rather than increasing the pension age.'

Member @elaine41 shared a personal anecdote: 'As a retired psychiatric nurse, there is no way it is safe to ask people over 60 to work in that profession. We can no longer move fast enough to avoid injury when a patient is aggressive…'

Key Takeaways

• The Federal Government has raised the pension age to 67, triggering a backlash from unions and older Australians.
• Union bosses like Darren Greenfield of CFMEU and Daniel Walton of the Australian Workers Union have voiced concerns about the potential repercussions of the change, especially for blue-collar workers.
• Older Australians nearing retirement have expressed dissatisfaction.
• Some aged Australians and union representatives are arguing for a more nuanced approach to determining retirement age, taking into consideration the physical and emotional demands of one's career.

It’s important that the government reforms the existing pension system so it takes into account the individual needs of seniors—particularly those who have worked hard and long in physically demanding or emotionally draining jobs.

In this case, we hope the government will listen to the voices of many older Aussies and introduce a new system built on fairness. Rest assured, we will keep you informed of any updates regarding this matter.

Members, do you have more to add to this conversation? Share your opinions with us in the comments below!

 

[Robbo3006]

The good old days when you could retire with a pension at age 65 are a thing of the past.

After the Federal Government changed the law and raised the age threshold at which Australians can access the pension, Aussies now have to wait two more years till the age of 67.

Given the circumstances, it's unsurprising that this news was met with intense backlash—union bosses and Australians nearing retirement age were both very vocal in their criticism of the new regulations.

View attachment 25471

The topic of retirement age and eligibility for the age pension requires thoughtful consideration, taking into account the diverse needs of Australian workers and their retirement plans. Credit: Shutterstock.

For instance, the Construction Forestry Maritime Mining Energy Union (CFMEU) NSW secretary Darren Greenfield highlighted the effect the law change would have on hardworking labourers.

In his words, 'In construction, they do a lot of the heavy lifting of the structure, concreters, steel fixers, scaffolders, it is very labour intensive work. A lot of their bodies burn out by 50 to 55.'

'By the time they get to 60, it is a nightmare for them not to be able to retire.'

Daniel Walton, the National Secretary of the Australian Workers Union, was also worried about blue-collar workers who may have difficulty working until they retire because of physical limitations.

He wanted to draw attention to the fact that their work can be tough on their bodies, which makes it difficult for them to keep working as they get older.

This news affected more than just the typical tradesperson's retirement age—it obviously affected the whole country. So it's not shocking to see seniors from various backgrounds outraged over the issue.

The comments left on the news story are undoubtedly poignant. They brought forth some pertinent points about our outdated retirement policies and how things could be done better.

View attachment 25488​

For example, it was argued that it simply isn't right for everyone to have to wait until they're 67, regardless of their personal circumstances and the type of work they do.

'The retirement age should not be a one size fits all; it should be a reflection of your work life,' commented one pensioner.

'Years of doing hard physical work and hard emotional work should be taken into account and used to reduce your retirement age. This is what they do in France, and they even take into consideration how many children you have brought up.'

Moreover, another brought up a controversial side to the issue—the glaring discrepancies between the retirement age of politicians and the average Aussie worker.

'The politicians don't care. They do two terms & they are on a lifelong pension, plus they are able to access their superannuation. They are hoping the average worker drops in their tracks so they don't have to pay out any pensions. We know what's going on. They just think we don't & they couldn't care less,' they said.

We have discussed the highly debated issue of the increased Age Pension here in the SDC forum, and many of our members have shared their perspectives on the matter.

Member Rhondda@Benjji commented: 'Why did we pay taxes all those years? It was for the pension. They keep raising the age every few years, and it's not fair to the people who reach the age only to have it change.'

Meanwhile, member @DanB said, 'I quite like the idea of giving the incentive of Pension Age people to stay longer in employment by way of tax concessions rather than increasing the pension age.'

Member @elaine41 shared a personal anecdote: 'As a retired psychiatric nurse, there is no way it is safe to ask people over 60 to work in that profession. We can no longer move fast enough to avoid injury when a patient is aggressive…'

Key Takeaways

• The Federal Government has raised the pension age to 67, triggering a backlash from unions and older Australians.
• Union bosses like Darren Greenfield of CFMEU and Daniel Walton of the Australian Workers Union have voiced concerns about the potential repercussions of the change, especially for blue-collar workers.
• Older Australians nearing retirement have expressed dissatisfaction.
• Some aged Australians and union representatives are arguing for a more nuanced approach to determining retirement age, taking into consideration the physical and emotional demands of one's career.

It’s important that the government reforms the existing pension system so it takes into account the individual needs of seniors—particularly those who have worked hard and long in physically demanding or emotionally draining jobs.

In this case, we hope the government will listen to the voices of many older Aussies and introduce a new system built on fairness. Rest assured, we will keep you informed of any updates regarding this matter.

Members, do you have more to add to this conversation? Share your opinions with us in the comments below!

No politician Pensions that would reduce the bill.

 

[Bullwinkle]

I like those words SJG “Those who make these big policy decisions, apparently live in a different world”
It’s not the “real” world we all live in, they need to get in touch with reality!!

 

[lynstacker]

I

The good old days when you could retire with a pension at age 65 are a thing of the past.

After the Federal Government changed the law and raised the age threshold at which Australians can access the pension, Aussies now have to wait two more years till the age of 67.

Given the circumstances, it's unsurprising that this news was met with intense backlash—union bosses and Australians nearing retirement age were both very vocal in their criticism of the new regulations.

View attachment 25471

The topic of retirement age and eligibility for the age pension requires thoughtful consideration, taking into account the diverse needs of Australian workers and their retirement plans. Credit: Shutterstock.

For instance, the Construction Forestry Maritime Mining Energy Union (CFMEU) NSW secretary Darren Greenfield highlighted the effect the law change would have on hardworking labourers.

In his words, 'In construction, they do a lot of the heavy lifting of the structure, concreters, steel fixers, scaffolders, it is very labour intensive work. A lot of their bodies burn out by 50 to 55.'

'By the time they get to 60, it is a nightmare for them not to be able to retire.'

Daniel Walton, the National Secretary of the Australian Workers Union, was also worried about blue-collar workers who may have difficulty working until they retire because of physical limitations.

He wanted to draw attention to the fact that their work can be tough on their bodies, which makes it difficult for them to keep working as they get older.

This news affected more than just the typical tradesperson's retirement age—it obviously affected the whole country. So it's not shocking to see seniors from various backgrounds outraged over the issue.

The comments left on the news story are undoubtedly poignant. They brought forth some pertinent points about our outdated retirement policies and how things could be done better.

View attachment 25488​

For example, it was argued that it simply isn't right for everyone to have to wait until they're 67, regardless of their personal circumstances and the type of work they do.

'The retirement age should not be a one size fits all; it should be a reflection of your work life,' commented one pensioner.

'Years of doing hard physical work and hard emotional work should be taken into account and used to reduce your retirement age. This is what they do in France, and they even take into consideration how many children you have brought up.'

Moreover, another brought up a controversial side to the issue—the glaring discrepancies between the retirement age of politicians and the average Aussie worker.

'The politicians don't care. They do two terms & they are on a lifelong pension, plus they are able to access their superannuation. They are hoping the average worker drops in their tracks so they don't have to pay out any pensions. We know what's going on. They just think we don't & they couldn't care less,' they said.

We have discussed the highly debated issue of the increased Age Pension here in the SDC forum, and many of our members have shared their perspectives on the matter.

Member Rhondda@Benjji commented: 'Why did we pay taxes all those years? It was for the pension. They keep raising the age every few years, and it's not fair to the people who reach the age only to have it change.'

Meanwhile, member @DanB said, 'I quite like the idea of giving the incentive of Pension Age people to stay longer in employment by way of tax concessions rather than increasing the pension age.'

Member @elaine41 shared a personal anecdote: 'As a retired psychiatric nurse, there is no way it is safe to ask people over 60 to work in that profession. We can no longer move fast enough to avoid injury when a patient is aggressive…'

Key Takeaways

• The Federal Government has raised the pension age to 67, triggering a backlash from unions and older Australians.
• Union bosses like Darren Greenfield of CFMEU and Daniel Walton of the Australian Workers Union have voiced concerns about the potential repercussions of the change, especially for blue-collar workers.
• Older Australians nearing retirement have expressed dissatisfaction.
• Some aged Australians and union representatives are arguing for a more nuanced approach to determining retirement age, taking into consideration the physical and emotional demands of one's career.

It’s important that the government reforms the existing pension system so it takes into account the individual needs of seniors—particularly those who have worked hard and long in physically demanding or emotionally draining jobs.

In this case, we hope the government will listen to the voices of many older Aussies and introduce a new system built on fairness. Rest assured, we will keep you informed of any updates regarding this matter.

Members, do you have more to add to this conversation? Share your opinions with us in the comments below!

Can't work out what all the fuss is a out. My retirement age has always been 67. I do feel for anyone who is in a physically demanding job as a

The good old days when you could retire with a pension at age 65 are a thing of the past.

After the Federal Government changed the law and raised the age threshold at which Australians can access the pension, Aussies now have to wait two more years till the age of 67.

Given the circumstances, it's unsurprising that this news was met with intense backlash—union bosses and Australians nearing retirement age were both very vocal in their criticism of the new regulations.

View attachment 25471

The topic of retirement age and eligibility for the age pension requires thoughtful consideration, taking into account the diverse needs of Australian workers and their retirement plans. Credit: Shutterstock.

For instance, the Construction Forestry Maritime Mining Energy Union (CFMEU) NSW secretary Darren Greenfield highlighted the effect the law change would have on hardworking labourers.

In his words, 'In construction, they do a lot of the heavy lifting of the structure, concreters, steel fixers, scaffolders, it is very labour intensive work. A lot of their bodies burn out by 50 to 55.'

'By the time they get to 60, it is a nightmare for them not to be able to retire.'

Daniel Walton, the National Secretary of the Australian Workers Union, was also worried about blue-collar workers who may have difficulty working until they retire because of physical limitations.

He wanted to draw attention to the fact that their work can be tough on their bodies, which makes it difficult for them to keep working as they get older.

This news affected more than just the typical tradesperson's retirement age—it obviously affected the whole country. So it's not shocking to see seniors from various backgrounds outraged over the issue.

The comments left on the news story are undoubtedly poignant. They brought forth some pertinent points about our outdated retirement policies and how things could be done better.

View attachment 25488​

For example, it was argued that it simply isn't right for everyone to have to wait until they're 67, regardless of their personal circumstances and the type of work they do.

'The retirement age should not be a one size fits all; it should be a reflection of your work life,' commented one pensioner.

'Years of doing hard physical work and hard emotional work should be taken into account and used to reduce your retirement age. This is what they do in France, and they even take into consideration how many children you have brought up.'

Moreover, another brought up a controversial side to the issue—the glaring discrepancies between the retirement age of politicians and the average Aussie worker.

'The politicians don't care. They do two terms & they are on a lifelong pension, plus they are able to access their superannuation. They are hoping the average worker drops in their tracks so they don't have to pay out any pensions. We know what's going on. They just think we don't & they couldn't care less,' they said.

We have discussed the highly debated issue of the increased Age Pension here in the SDC forum, and many of our members have shared their perspectives on the matter.

Member Rhondda@Benjji commented: 'Why did we pay taxes all those years? It was for the pension. They keep raising the age every few years, and it's not fair to the people who reach the age only to have it change.'

Meanwhile, member @DanB said, 'I quite like the idea of giving the incentive of Pension Age people to stay longer in employment by way of tax concessions rather than increasing the pension age.'

Member @elaine41 shared a personal anecdote: 'As a retired psychiatric nurse, there is no way it is safe to ask people over 60 to work in that profession. We can no longer move fast enough to avoid injury when a patient is aggressive…'

Key Takeaways

• The Federal Government has raised the pension age to 67, triggering a backlash from unions and older Australians.
• Union bosses like Darren Greenfield of CFMEU and Daniel Walton of the Australian Workers Union have voiced concerns about the potential repercussions of the change, especially for blue-collar workers.
• Older Australians nearing retirement have expressed dissatisfaction.
• Some aged Australians and union representatives are arguing for a more nuanced approach to determining retirement age, taking into consideration the physical and emotional demands of one's career.

It’s important that the government reforms the existing pension system so it takes into account the individual needs of seniors—particularly those who have worked hard and long in physically demanding or emotionally draining jobs.

In this case, we hope the government will listen to the voices of many older Aussies and introduce a new system built on fairness. Rest assured, we will keep you informed of any updates regarding this matter.

Members, do you have more to add to this conversation? Share your opinions with us in the comments below!

I cannot work out what all the fuss is about. My retirement age has always been 67. I do feel for those in physically demanding jobs as I am. I will not make it to 67, in fact I have to retire now. We live longer therefore we need to work for longer. It is a cruel irony

 

[Abby2]

You might be worn out physically at 60, but mentally ??? I don't think so. I know of several people in their 70's who have very sharp minds and still working. I am still working part time and love the mental challenge. Attitude is very important no matter what age you are. If people just would stop whinging and moaning about everything , they may just enjoy life a little more.

Spot on Babbie

 

[Abby2]

I like those words SJG “Those who make these big policy decisions, apparently live in a different world”
It’s not the “real” world we all live in, they need to get in touch with reality!!

It is the people that vote the polies in

 

[Shane/#]

The good old days when you could retire with a pension at age 65 are a thing of the past.

After the Federal Government changed the law and raised the age threshold at which Australians can access the pension, Aussies now have to wait two more years till the age of 67.

Given the circumstances, it's unsurprising that this news was met with intense backlash—union bosses and Australians nearing retirement age were both very vocal in their criticism of the new regulations.

View attachment 25471

The topic of retirement age and eligibility for the age pension requires thoughtful consideration, taking into account the diverse needs of Australian workers and their retirement plans. Credit: Shutterstock.

For instance, the Construction Forestry Maritime Mining Energy Union (CFMEU) NSW secretary Darren Greenfield highlighted the effect the law change would have on hardworking labourers.

In his words, 'In construction, they do a lot of the heavy lifting of the structure, concreters, steel fixers, scaffolders, it is very labour intensive work. A lot of their bodies burn out by 50 to 55.'

'By the time they get to 60, it is a nightmare for them not to be able to retire.'

Daniel Walton, the National Secretary of the Australian Workers Union, was also worried about blue-collar workers who may have difficulty working until they retire because of physical limitations.

He wanted to draw attention to the fact that their work can be tough on their bodies, which makes it difficult for them to keep working as they get older.

This news affected more than just the typical tradesperson's retirement age—it obviously affected the whole country. So it's not shocking to see seniors from various backgrounds outraged over the issue.

The comments left on the news story are undoubtedly poignant. They brought forth some pertinent points about our outdated retirement policies and how things could be done better.

View attachment 25488​

For example, it was argued that it simply isn't right for everyone to have to wait until they're 67, regardless of their personal circumstances and the type of work they do.

'The retirement age should not be a one size fits all; it should be a reflection of your work life,' commented one pensioner.

'Years of doing hard physical work and hard emotional work should be taken into account and used to reduce your retirement age. This is what they do in France, and they even take into consideration how many children you have brought up.'

Moreover, another brought up a controversial side to the issue—the glaring discrepancies between the retirement age of politicians and the average Aussie worker.

'The politicians don't care. They do two terms & they are on a lifelong pension, plus they are able to access their superannuation. They are hoping the average worker drops in their tracks so they don't have to pay out any pensions. We know what's going on. They just think we don't & they couldn't care less,' they said.

We have discussed the highly debated issue of the increased Age Pension here in the SDC forum, and many of our members have shared their perspectives on the matter.

Member Rhondda@Benjji commented: 'Why did we pay taxes all those years? It was for the pension. They keep raising the age every few years, and it's not fair to the people who reach the age only to have it change.'

Meanwhile, member @DanB said, 'I quite like the idea of giving the incentive of Pension Age people to stay longer in employment by way of tax concessions rather than increasing the pension age.'

Member @elaine41 shared a personal anecdote: 'As a retired psychiatric nurse, there is no way it is safe to ask people over 60 to work in that profession. We can no longer move fast enough to avoid injury when a patient is aggressive…'

Key Takeaways

• The Federal Government has raised the pension age to 67, triggering a backlash from unions and older Australians.
• Union bosses like Darren Greenfield of CFMEU and Daniel Walton of the Australian Workers Union have voiced concerns about the potential repercussions of the change, especially for blue-collar workers.
• Older Australians nearing retirement have expressed dissatisfaction.
• Some aged Australians and union representatives are arguing for a more nuanced approach to determining retirement age, taking into consideration the physical and emotional demands of one's career.

It’s important that the government reforms the existing pension system so it takes into account the individual needs of seniors—particularly those who have worked hard and long in physically demanding or emotionally draining jobs.

In this case, we hope the government will listen to the voices of many older Aussies and introduce a new system built on fairness. Rest assured, we will keep you informed of any updates regarding this matter.

Members, do you have more to add to this conversation? Share your opinions with us in the comments below!

Working to 67 in an industry that is labour intensive your back ,knees,shoulders etc are worn out you pay taxes all your life only to see the goal post's move and holding onto a job after 55 is had enough I myself have worked casually more time than full-time with the stress of your income can stop at any time fortunately I've been able to bring up 3 children I own my home that was built in the early 60s and never tried to be one off the Joneses it's been hard the wife only obtaining work some 8 years ago so it's been a single wage all the way as the young adults have partnered up and moved out I'm now a self-funded retirerey at 63 so yes I'm waiting now to get the pension at 67 if it doesn't move again and I thank compulsory superannuation for that through construction and maintenance job's I've done as for all these politicians sitting on their arses should have no access to their superannuation until 70 years old because they don't do the heavy lifting like the Working class

 

[lwaaleboer]

The good old days when you could retire with a pension at age 65 are a thing of the past.

After the Federal Government changed the law and raised the age threshold at which Australians can access the pension, Aussies now have to wait two more years till the age of 67.

Given the circumstances, it's unsurprising that this news was met with intense backlash—union bosses and Australians nearing retirement age were both very vocal in their criticism of the new regulations.

View attachment 25471

The topic of retirement age and eligibility for the age pension requires thoughtful consideration, taking into account the diverse needs of Australian workers and their retirement plans. Credit: Shutterstock.

For instance, the Construction Forestry Maritime Mining Energy Union (CFMEU) NSW secretary Darren Greenfield highlighted the effect the law change would have on hardworking labourers.

In his words, 'In construction, they do a lot of the heavy lifting of the structure, concreters, steel fixers, scaffolders, it is very labour intensive work. A lot of their bodies burn out by 50 to 55.'

'By the time they get to 60, it is a nightmare for them not to be able to retire.'

Daniel Walton, the National Secretary of the Australian Workers Union, was also worried about blue-collar workers who may have difficulty working until they retire because of physical limitations.

He wanted to draw attention to the fact that their work can be tough on their bodies, which makes it difficult for them to keep working as they get older.

This news affected more than just the typical tradesperson's retirement age—it obviously affected the whole country. So it's not shocking to see seniors from various backgrounds outraged over the issue.

The comments left on the news story are undoubtedly poignant. They brought forth some pertinent points about our outdated retirement policies and how things could be done better.

View attachment 25488​

For example, it was argued that it simply isn't right for everyone to have to wait until they're 67, regardless of their personal circumstances and the type of work they do.

'The retirement age should not be a one size fits all; it should be a reflection of your work life,' commented one pensioner.

'Years of doing hard physical work and hard emotional work should be taken into account and used to reduce your retirement age. This is what they do in France, and they even take into consideration how many children you have brought up.'

Moreover, another brought up a controversial side to the issue—the glaring discrepancies between the retirement age of politicians and the average Aussie worker.

'The politicians don't care. They do two terms & they are on a lifelong pension, plus they are able to access their superannuation. They are hoping the average worker drops in their tracks so they don't have to pay out any pensions. We know what's going on. They just think we don't & they couldn't care less,' they said.

We have discussed the highly debated issue of the increased Age Pension here in the SDC forum, and many of our members have shared their perspectives on the matter.

Member Rhondda@Benjji commented: 'Why did we pay taxes all those years? It was for the pension. They keep raising the age every few years, and it's not fair to the people who reach the age only to have it change.'

Meanwhile, member @DanB said, 'I quite like the idea of giving the incentive of Pension Age people to stay longer in employment by way of tax concessions rather than increasing the pension age.'

Member @elaine41 shared a personal anecdote: 'As a retired psychiatric nurse, there is no way it is safe to ask people over 60 to work in that profession. We can no longer move fast enough to avoid injury when a patient is aggressive…'

Key Takeaways

• The Federal Government has raised the pension age to 67, triggering a backlash from unions and older Australians.
• Union bosses like Darren Greenfield of CFMEU and Daniel Walton of the Australian Workers Union have voiced concerns about the potential repercussions of the change, especially for blue-collar workers.
• Older Australians nearing retirement have expressed dissatisfaction.
• Some aged Australians and union representatives are arguing for a more nuanced approach to determining retirement age, taking into consideration the physical and emotional demands of one's career.

It’s important that the government reforms the existing pension system so it takes into account the individual needs of seniors—particularly those who have worked hard and long in physically demanding or emotionally draining jobs.

In this case, we hope the government will listen to the voices of many older Aussies and introduce a new system built on fairness. Rest assured, we will keep you informed of any updates regarding this matter.

Members, do you have more to add to this conversation? Share your opinions with us in the comments below!

It is up to the individual when to retire, an office worker could wel be working till 70 if healthy. A bricklayer and other physical intensive occupations most likely not. Myself have been a baker all my life and that was hard work , especially in the early days before all the modern equipment became available. Nevertheless I worked till the age of 75 but worked only 3 days per week one year before retirement. I was able to do this because I never smoked and consumed alcohol, which I believe kept me fit and healthy. My opinion is that the minimum age of retirement should be 60 receiving a basic pension. For every year over 60 an increase in the pension should be awarded. Then there is superannuation, should be voluntary, its a total rip-off, nothing but a milking cow for banks and private investors. How many millions or billions have been syphoned of and wasted. If it wasn't for the industry super funds, the system would not be viable. There was nothing wrong with the old system other then that successive governments has raided the money pool to pay for their pet projects, it was our money they squandered. There are some suggestions floating around that if the pension money pool was still intact, the age pension could be around the 900 to 1000 dollar per week for ever pensioner. True? No idea.

 

[Trudi]

Nobody prscribes to us when we may retire! That is entirely our choice, provided we have saved enough in and out of super.

I retired at 66 and no, I do not get even a single cent of the age pension. I spent the final ten years in the workforce saving as much as possible for my retirement and I still supported my youngest son who turned 21 when I was 65.

 

[Trudi]

I assume politicians will not get access to their ridiculously high pensions until they qualify in their age bracket.

Actually, they have to wait just as you and I have to!

 

[Littleboy8]

Actually, they have to wait just as you and I have to!

They do actually!

 

[gordon1940]

Nothing stopping ANYONE including tradies from contributing more to their super if they want to retire early. Problem when cash is still king with tradies, take the money spend it then wonder why their super funds don't go up proportional to their declared income. The aged pension isn't an entitlement or right, you need to meet an eligibility to claim, even at the previous age of 65 you were still required to meet the eligibility. Once again, use your super, it's not a tax scheme it's a retirement fund that you should be using first, then the age pension kicks in once your meet the eligibility age.

Agree absolutely. Simply paying Tax for a lifetime does NOT entitle anyone to the Age Pension.

 

[Kathryn69]

The good old days when you could retire with a pension at age 65 are a thing of the past.

After the Federal Government changed the law and raised the age threshold at which Australians can access the pension, Aussies now have to wait two more years till the age of 67.

Given the circumstances, it's unsurprising that this news was met with intense backlash—union bosses and Australians nearing retirement age were both very vocal in their criticism of the new regulations.

View attachment 25471

The topic of retirement age and eligibility for the age pension requires thoughtful consideration, taking into account the diverse needs of Australian workers and their retirement plans. Credit: Shutterstock.

For instance, the Construction Forestry Maritime Mining Energy Union (CFMEU) NSW secretary Darren Greenfield highlighted the effect the law change would have on hardworking labourers.

In his words, 'In construction, they do a lot of the heavy lifting of the structure, concreters, steel fixers, scaffolders, it is very labour intensive work. A lot of their bodies burn out by 50 to 55.'

'By the time they get to 60, it is a nightmare for them not to be able to retire.'

Daniel Walton, the National Secretary of the Australian Workers Union, was also worried about blue-collar workers who may have difficulty working until they retire because of physical limitations.

He wanted to draw attention to the fact that their work can be tough on their bodies, which makes it difficult for them to keep working as they get older.

This news affected more than just the typical tradesperson's retirement age—it obviously affected the whole country. So it's not shocking to see seniors from various backgrounds outraged over the issue.

The comments left on the news story are undoubtedly poignant. They brought forth some pertinent points about our outdated retirement policies and how things could be done better.

View attachment 25488​

For example, it was argued that it simply isn't right for everyone to have to wait until they're 67, regardless of their personal circumstances and the type of work they do.

'The retirement age should not be a one size fits all; it should be a reflection of your work life,' commented one pensioner.

'Years of doing hard physical work and hard emotional work should be taken into account and used to reduce your retirement age. This is what they do in France, and they even take into consideration how many children you have brought up.'

Moreover, another brought up a controversial side to the issue—the glaring discrepancies between the retirement age of politicians and the average Aussie worker.

'The politicians don't care. They do two terms & they are on a lifelong pension, plus they are able to access their superannuation. They are hoping the average worker drops in their tracks so they don't have to pay out any pensions. We know what's going on. They just think we don't & they couldn't care less,' they said.

We have discussed the highly debated issue of the increased Age Pension here in the SDC forum, and many of our members have shared their perspectives on the matter.

Member Rhondda@Benjji commented: 'Why did we pay taxes all those years? It was for the pension. They keep raising the age every few years, and it's not fair to the people who reach the age only to have it change.'

Meanwhile, member @DanB said, 'I quite like the idea of giving the incentive of Pension Age people to stay longer in employment by way of tax concessions rather than increasing the pension age.'

Member @elaine41 shared a personal anecdote: 'As a retired psychiatric nurse, there is no way it is safe to ask people over 60 to work in that profession. We can no longer move fast enough to avoid injury when a patient is aggressive…'

Key Takeaways

• The Federal Government has raised the pension age to 67, triggering a backlash from unions and older Australians.
• Union bosses like Darren Greenfield of CFMEU and Daniel Walton of the Australian Workers Union have voiced concerns about the potential repercussions of the change, especially for blue-collar workers.
• Older Australians nearing retirement have expressed dissatisfaction.
• Some aged Australians and union representatives are arguing for a more nuanced approach to determining retirement age, taking into consideration the physical and emotional demands of one's career.

It’s important that the government reforms the existing pension system so it takes into account the individual needs of seniors—particularly those who have worked hard and long in physically demanding or emotionally draining jobs.

In this case, we hope the government will listen to the voices of many older Aussies and introduce a new system built on fairness. Rest assured, we will keep you informed of any updates regarding this matter.

Members, do you have more to add to this conversation? Share your opinions with us in the comments below!

The age increase is wrong. I agree blue collar workers cannot keep working till then, my Dad was a Landscaper so l know he struggled in the end before he retired under the old scheme. Politicians are spoilt with their system, they need to spend a week with a tradie etc and get a perspective. I went on the Age Pension at 65 , l was already Invalidity Retired from the Public Service after an injury so on a compensation pension for 30 years.
Come on Pollies get real, people are hurting out here dammit

 

[kevinwoodtufftyke52@gmail]

The good old days when you could retire with a pension at age 65 are a thing of the past.

After the Federal Government changed the law and raised the age threshold at which Australians can access the pension, Aussies now have to wait two more years till the age of 67.

Given the circumstances, it's unsurprising that this news was met with intense backlash—union bosses and Australians nearing retirement age were both very vocal in their criticism of the new regulations.

View attachment 25471

The topic of retirement age and eligibility for the age pension requires thoughtful consideration, taking into account the diverse needs of Australian workers and their retirement plans. Credit: Shutterstock.

For instance, the Construction Forestry Maritime Mining Energy Union (CFMEU) NSW secretary Darren Greenfield highlighted the effect the law change would have on hardworking labourers.

In his words, 'In construction, they do a lot of the heavy lifting of the structure, concreters, steel fixers, scaffolders, it is very labour intensive work. A lot of their bodies burn out by 50 to 55.'

'By the time they get to 60, it is a nightmare for them not to be able to retire.'

Daniel Walton, the National Secretary of the Australian Workers Union, was also worried about blue-collar workers who may have difficulty working until they retire because of physical limitations.

He wanted to draw attention to the fact that their work can be tough on their bodies, which makes it difficult for them to keep working as they get older.

This news affected more than just the typical tradesperson's retirement age—it obviously affected the whole country. So it's not shocking to see seniors from various backgrounds outraged over the issue.

The comments left on the news story are undoubtedly poignant. They brought forth some pertinent points about our outdated retirement policies and how things could be done better.

View attachment 25488​

For example, it was argued that it simply isn't right for everyone to have to wait until they're 67, regardless of their personal circumstances and the type of work they do.

'The retirement age should not be a one size fits all; it should be a reflection of your work life,' commented one pensioner.

'Years of doing hard physical work and hard emotional work should be taken into account and used to reduce your retirement age. This is what they do in France, and they even take into consideration how many children you have brought up.'

Moreover, another brought up a controversial side to the issue—the glaring discrepancies between the retirement age of politicians and the average Aussie worker.

'The politicians don't care. They do two terms & they are on a lifelong pension, plus they are able to access their superannuation. They are hoping the average worker drops in their tracks so they don't have to pay out any pensions. We know what's going on. They just think we don't & they couldn't care less,' they said.

We have discussed the highly debated issue of the increased Age Pension here in the SDC forum, and many of our members have shared their perspectives on the matter.

Member Rhondda@Benjji commented: 'Why did we pay taxes all those years? It was for the pension. They keep raising the age every few years, and it's not fair to the people who reach the age only to have it change.'

Meanwhile, member @DanB said, 'I quite like the idea of giving the incentive of Pension Age people to stay longer in employment by way of tax concessions rather than increasing the pension age.'

Member @elaine41 shared a personal anecdote: 'As a retired psychiatric nurse, there is no way it is safe to ask people over 60 to work in that profession. We can no longer move fast enough to avoid injury when a patient is aggressive…'

Key Takeaways

• The Federal Government has raised the pension age to 67, triggering a backlash from unions and older Australians.
• Union bosses like Darren Greenfield of CFMEU and Daniel Walton of the Australian Workers Union have voiced concerns about the potential repercussions of the change, especially for blue-collar workers.
• Older Australians nearing retirement have expressed dissatisfaction.
• Some aged Australians and union representatives are arguing for a more nuanced approach to determining retirement age, taking into consideration the physical and emotional demands of one's career.

It’s important that the government reforms the existing pension system so it takes into account the individual needs of seniors—particularly those who have worked hard and long in physically demanding or emotionally draining jobs.

In this case, we hope the government will listen to the voices of many older Aussies and introduce a new system built on fairness. Rest assured, we will keep you informed of any updates regarding this matter.

Members, do you have more to add to this conversation? Share your opinions with us in the comments below!

This pension age increase is only touted by white collar desk jockeys that wouldn't have a clue what manual workers do to earn a wage!

 

[kevinwoodtufftyke52@gmail]

The good old days when you could retire with a pension at age 65 are a thing of the past.
Also in those times people lived to 3 score and 10 ie. 70 years
In view of the increased longevity it seems quite reasonable to increase the retirement age also.
People can save more in early life if they want to retire early.

It's very obvious that you have NOT worked in a manual job your entire life!

 

[piffle]

You might be worn out physically at 60, but mentally ??? I don't think so. I know of several people in their 70's who have very sharp minds and still working. I am still working part time and love the mental challenge. Attitude is very important no matter what age you are. If people just would stop whinging and moaning about everything , they may just enjoy life a little more.

What sort of job are you working in Babbie.?
I know its not in building construction or as a staff member in a busy hospital emergency dept being physically abused by aggresssive, whingeing patients. No I bet its somewhere quiet and calm like a plant nursery or volunteering at a small country library. Somewhere you have the time to enjoy life a little more and cultivate a calmer better attitude.

 

[kevinwoodtufftyke52@gmail]

Agree absolutely. Simply paying Tax for a lifetime does NOT entitle anyone to the Age Pension.

And politicians?

 

[smg]

"Contributing more to your Super" is fine - IF you have the spare $ to do that. For the 15 years that we were on one income while the kids came along we were JUST able to make ends meet each week & put a little aside for a single 2-week family holiday once a year. Even when my Wife went back to work, 4 growing, active kids meant that EVERY dollar counted, leaving precious little extra. Whether we could actually pay the next mortgage, gas, power or rates bill was more important than paying any extra into the Super - because there just wasn't that extra spare. And we know many worse off than us.

Nobody prscribes to us when we may retire! That is entirely our choice, provided we have saved enough in and out of super.

I retired at 66 and no, I do not get even a single cent of the age pension. I spent the final ten years in the workforce saving as much as possible for my retirement and I still supported my youngest son who turned 21 when I was 65.

 

[Turtle19]

After leaving school I had office jobs until I had my children. I waited until they were school age and then went back to work as a courier. I loved the work but heavy lifting took its toll on my body. After about 20 years of doing this type of work I had to give it up. Then I had to deal with the nightmare of Centrelink. I did not have the computer experience to do office work again and I had asked several times that I wanted to do a course, which was discussed briefly and then nothing further happened. My time dealing with them is almost over, 10 months to go. I have medical certificates from my doctor to cover this period. I do voluntary shelving of books at my library and my body hurts after only a short time. I can't spend much time in my garden either. I have never been paid any super in my employment. I think it is great if others want to continue working, I wish I could. Everyone's situation is different.

 

[smg]

Agree absolutely. Simply paying Tax for a lifetime does NOT entitle anyone to the Age Pension.

And politicians?

It was because of the type of work I did as a young man that cause to have to retire at 60, in other words the body was worn out A list of complications, hips need replacement, shoulder joint full of arthritis, a heart attack and prostrate cancer, I often get asked why I retired you look in good condition sorry I help my family when I can it often takes me days to get over doing just 4 hours of work .

Singomate - I hear you. I've been in Transport - mostly Road-freight - for 39 years & would still be there except for redundancies at my work 2 years ago. I'm still Driving but part-time in a much lighter occupation. I've had a knee reconstruction, then a replacement, a hernia op. then early this year a foot & shoulder reconstruction. All due to wear, tear & accidents along the way. Still truckin' though.

 

[smg]

Nothing stopping ANYONE including tradies from contributing more to their super if they want to retire early. Problem when cash is still king with tradies, take the money spend it then wonder why their super funds don't go up proportional to their declared income. The aged pension isn't an entitlement or right, you need to meet an eligibility to claim, even at the previous age of 65 you were still required to meet the eligibility. Once again, use your super, it's not a tax scheme it's a retirement fund that you should be using first, then the age pension kicks in once your meet the eligibility age.

That's fine, IF you have the spare $ to put in there. That has never been possible for us. Bringing up 4 active kids & paying the mortgage, power, gas, food & rates bills took every spare dollar. And that was with me working a 12-hour day in Transport.