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 They brought forth some pertinent points about our outdated retirement policies and how things could be done better.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!

 

[smg]

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.

Agree entirely. I've been a Courier/Delivery Driver for 39 years, 13 as an Owner-Driver. My body too is worn out at 60. I've had a knee reconstruction, replacement, hernia, foot reconstruction & shoulder reconstructions along the way all due to wear, tear & accidents. Luckily I can still work part-time & not touch my Super for the mo.

 

[Macarj]

It's worse for women they used to get pension at 60 years of age now my wife doesn't get it until 67 an increase of 7years my increase was only 18 months from 65years to 66.5 years

 

[smg]

Most of the people my age started work at 15 or 16 years old and have now worked for around 50years+ ,if you worked outdoors in a manual labor job there’s a good chance you have health issues around knee and back issues etc, it’s fine for politicians who have never had a real job in their lives to sit back and tell us we have to work longer when they don’t,we can only access what little super we have at a certain age but pollies can get access to theirs. I have no problem with anyone who wants to keep working after retirement age but not everyone can. There needs to be a more realistic way.

Exactly. I've been working 42 years, 39 in Transport & my body is worn out at 60. I've had 3 x reconstructions & 1 replacement - all wear, tear & accidents along the way.

 

[smg]

I, like many women of my age, had an interrupted working life, as I spent time at home raising my children. In my early working life, compulsory superannuation didn't exist. I never imagined that I would be retraining for a new career in my 50s, and then at 65 trying to find work or endlessly trying to satisfy Centrelink's demands to receive Jobseeker until I hit 67 because I have so little superannuation.

Agree. My Wife was 15 years out of the workforce & has stuff-all in her Super. Mine would be JUST enough to see us through to 67 (I'm 60 now) if we had to use it. Fortunately, I can still work part-time.

 

[Babbie]

Harsh!

No, reality!

 

[smg]

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

I just have to reply to this. What utter BS! I was brought up on "The Social Compact": "Finish school, get a job, work hard, pay your taxes, look after the country, get to retirement & the country will look after you." Bearing in mind that the Age Pension is only JUST above the poverty line level anyway. I'm 60 & my body is worn out from 42 years of hard work, but I'll probably keep working part-time at least for another 6-8 years. At that time, I fully expect my "entitlement" to a living pension.

 

[Toni Wrinkles]

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 can remember when the retirement age was 60, you know we are becoming an older Aussie land? yes I know but we are the ones who put in the hard yards, the farmers, the labourers, the retail works, the factory workers, and yes the office workers, it's been hard going at times, we didn't have computers etc hell I remember having to add the groceries together and double checking it, but for the guys on the side of the roads digging ditches, the guys building houses, the truckies, and the welders, the steel workers geez their bodies will give out before they can take things a bit easier, some wont be able to Thanks to this new law, my Dad died at 68 so he would have had 3 years out of the freezers to enjoy life, this is so wrong ...........think that maybe the governments should take a BIG Pay cut people are so tired of hurting and this has just added to it. Toni

 

[Trudi]

"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.

I raised my 4 kids as a single mother!

I was married twice, the first marriage lasted 11 years and apart from three years when we lived at a mining site, I worked throughout the marriage and was able to purchase a home for my three kids.

I remarried when the youngest child was 17 and I had another child. That marriage lasted about two years and at the end of it I was broke and barely able to hang onto my home. I was 45 years old then.

Starting in the mid 1990s I used the equity in my home to purchase another home when I moved for work reasons.

After two repeats I "owned" four properties and was up to my eyeballs in mortgage debt. So when I was 64 I obtained another mortgage to have a 4 bedroom home built.

I have since sold two of the properties, paid off all mortgages and at the age of 76 I am free of all debt and still own two rental properties, the home I live in, plus a quarter acre block of land in a small rural town.

Because of the assets I own, I do not receive any age pension, although my income is well below the pension cut-off.

I am glad that I don't have to deal with Centrelink, so being prudent with money and ALWAYS contributing at least 5% of my gross income has paid off.

Whether you say "I can or I can't" you're right. Ponder on this!

 

[Trudi]

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

I just have to reply to this. What utter BS! I was brought up on "The Social Compact": "Finish school, get a job, work hard, pay your taxes, look after the country, get to retirement & the country will look after you." Bearing in mind that the Age Pension is only JUST above the poverty line level anyway. I'm 60 & my body is worn out from 42 years of hard work, but I'll probably keep working part-time at least for another 6-8 years. At that time, I fully expect my "entitlement" to a living pension.

Which planet are you living on?

I have worked hard and paid taxes all my live and I still do at the age of 76. I do not receive an age pension, so why do you think for even a nano-second that I would be agreeable for my taxes to be paid to you?

 

[Babbie]

Which planet are you living on?

I have worked hard and paid taxes all my live and I still do at the age of 76. I do not receive an age pension, so why do you think for even a nano-second that I would be agreeable for my taxes to be paid to you?

They live on the planet of ‘Entitlement’.

 

[VicCiCi]

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!

Why don’t the government come down hard on all dole bludgers and get them to work and get them out of their comfort zone. To many of them would rather do nothing and hang out.

 

[Gsr]

It would seem to appear that the only heavy lifting a career politician would lifting the fork to his mouth. It should be mandatory for anyone entering politics would be to spend a few years on the shop floor.

Also lifting their snouts out of the trough on the rare occasions they do to have a look at what is going on in the real world, not that they have any plans to do anything constructive about it.

 

[smg]

Grow up Trudi. I don't want YOUR taxes & would throw them back in your face. I want MY taxes & MY contribution recognised is all. If you don't get the age pension then you must be well off & can look down your nose at others. Good luck with that. You seem to be good at it.

Which planet are you living on?

I have worked hard and paid taxes all my live and I still do at the age of 76. I do not receive an age pension, so why do you think for even a nano-second that I would be agreeable for my taxes to be paid

 

[smg]

They live on the planet of ‘Entitlement’.

Babbie, just fyi in 42 years of constant employment & work, I have received a grand total of SIX WEEKS "social security" income - the dole - when I finished school. It was about $90.00 a week. That's it, that's all & I'm quite proud of that. If you think it unfair, grasping or "entitled" of me to expect what is a very minimal pension - which has been promised to EVERY working Australian SHOULD THEY NEED IT - then the only word I can think for you is "Scrooge". What? Would you like to abolish it entirely?

 

[Babbie]

Grow up Trudi. I don't want YOUR taxes & would throw them back in your face. I want MY taxes & MY contribution recognised is all. If you don't get the age pension then you must be well off & can look down your nose at others. Good luck with that. You seem to be good at it.

Grow up Trudi. I don't want YOUR taxes & would throw them back in your face. I want MY taxes & MY contribution recognised is all. If you don't get the age pension then you must be well off & can look down your nose at others. Good luck with that. You seem to be good at it.

Dear smf, everyone is entitled to an opinion. Please stop behaving like a teenager. Stop name calling like you are still in the school yard. Poor thing . Take a happy pill and try to at least enjoy the miserable years you may have left to live

 

[Babbie]

Babbie, just fyi in 42 years of constant employment & work, I have received a grand total of SIX WEEKS "social security" income - the dole - when I finished school. It was about $90.00 a week. That's it, that's all & I'm quite proud of that. If you think it unfair, grasping or "entitled" of me to expect what is a very minimal pension - which has been promised to EVERY working Australian SHOULD THEY NEED IT - then the only word I can think for you is "Scrooge". What? Would you like to abolish it entirely?

Another old miserable individual. Wow, you are all out tonight

 

[smg]

I raised my 4 kids as a single mother!

I was married twice, the first marriage lasted 11 years and apart from three years when we lived at a mining site, I worked throughout the marriage and was able to purchase a home for my three kids.

I remarried when the youngest child was 17 and I had another child. That marriage lasted about two years and at the end of it I was broke and barely able to hang onto my home. I was 45 years old then.

Starting in the mid 1990s I used the equity in my home to purchase another home when I moved for work reasons.

After two repeats I "owned" four properties and was up to my eyeballs in mortgage debt. So when I was 64 I obtained another mortgage to have a 4 bedroom home built.

I have since sold two of the properties, paid off all mortgages and at the age of 76 I am free of all debt and still own two rental properties, the home I live in, plus a quarter acre block of land in a small rural town.

Because of the assets I own, I do not receive any age pension, although my income is well below the pension cut-off.

I am glad that I don't have to deal with Centrelink, so being prudent with money and ALWAYS contributing at least 5% of my gross income has paid off.

Whether you say "I can or I can't" you're right. Ponder on this!

And good for you. You dived into property head first. In your righteous wrath though, maybe you should ponder that not everyone has those opportunities or wants that level of debt - at ANY time. With any luck, if our financial ducks line up as they should, we won't NEED the pension either. But if we do, then that's precisely what it's there for: for those that COULDN'T - for whatever reason - amass enough moolah or property to live in comfort in retirement.

 

[smg]

Dear smf, everyone is entitled to an opinion. Please stop behaving like a teenager. Stop name calling like you are still in the school yard. Poor thing . Take a happy pill and try to at least enjoy the miserable years you may have left to live

Really? Name-calling? I called you "Trudi". You can't even get my initials correct. But yes, you are acting all superior - still.

 

[Babbie]

Really? Name-calling? I called you "Trudi". You can't even get my initials correct. But yes, you are acting all superior - still.

No, just having a good laugh! Goodnight

 

[Robbo3006]

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

How old are you? We paid 8%of our earning into a pension fund for over 40 years. Coz there was no superannuation then, so the govt in its wisdom moved the trillions of dollars into tax revenue, where it quickly disappeared. BTW, the government says it never happened, but we know politicians are so honest, look at their pensions, for life, working or not, your statement is ridiculous.