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NewsTime to give the over 50's a voice in budget debates on tax, retirement and work
Time to give the over 50's a voice in budget debates on tax, retirement and work

Time to give the over 50's a voice in budget debates on tax, retirement and work

Tags: Consumer Action Consumer Quickshot FiftyUp Club
Last updated by Chris Zinn on

As debate hots up before the Federal Budget, it’s time to gauge the views of those most affected by the hip-pocket issues being discussed – the over-50s.

The 120,000-member FiftyUp Club has today launched its second annual pre-Budget survey, asking the over-50s what they think about:

  • Pensions and superannuation
  • Negative gearing,
  • The GST and
  • Working to age 70

Consumers over 50 can now give their views HERE on big questions such as whether access to the pension should be more strict, the GST should be extended, or negative gearing should be ended.

They’ll also be asked about work experiences ahead of the inquiry into discrimination against older workers, announced this week (see Appendix).

Last year’s FiftyUp Club Budget Survey attracted more than 6,500 responses on pensions, Medicare and other issues and was presented to the federal government. The same will be done this year.

“Big decisions in these areas affect us not just now but well into the future and will impact on how we plan, save and prepare — so it’s vital we have a voice in these debates,” says FiftyUp Club guest commentator Christopher Zinn.

“As a group with age and experience, but not always money and influence, we need to let decision-makers know what we think before it’s too late.”

The FiftyUp Club has over 120,000 members and uses their buying power to negotiate special offers and lobby on their behalf. It’s free to join at FiftyUpClub.com

Click Here to take our 5-Minute Survey

 

 

APPENDIX

Recent Budget Related News

  1. ‘Stop rich from using negative gearing to offset wages, save $1b : ACOSS’, Sydney Morning Herald, 16 April 2015 by Nassim Khadem Read Here
  2. ‘How a 12 per cent GST could deliver a $100,000 earner an income-tax cut of $34 a week’, News.com.au, 1 April 2015 by John Rolfe Read Here
  3. 'Tony Abbott pledges to protect our superannuation: No changes during his term of government and beyond’, The Daily Telegraph, 16 April 2015 by Simon Benson Read Here
  4. ‘Age Discrimination: Federal Government inquiry to examine barriers older workers face in finding jobs’, ABC Online, 15 April 2015 by Nick Dole Read Here
  5. ‘Opinion: Politicians can’t be trusted to make decisions about superannuation’, Courier Mail, 15 April 2015 by Jeff Kennett Read Here
Originally posted on .

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FiftyUp Club
Time to give the over 50's a voice in budget debates on tax, retirement and work

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Stanley
Stanley from NSW commented:

I will be 74 next week (4/5/15) still run a successful business with 8 staff working for me 

William
William from NSW commented:

The emphasis should be on a broader based consumption tax at of least 12%with compensation for pensioners and the less fortunate.This is in fact a Turnover tax and will raise far more than taxing income before it comes to hand.With more dollars in the pocket discretionary spending is increased and people can chose on which to spend and also provide via superannuation for the future thereby relieving pressure on the Govt and Taxpayer.As for Super ,Stop moving the goal posts every few years! 

Con
Con from VIC commented:

First of all, I believe that anyone that has worked and paid their taxes should be entitled to a quality of life and retire at the age of 55 so that one has the time to enjoy retirement. If anyone choses to work longer should be done tax free. Stop giving away money to people that have chosen not to work all their life and happy to receive unemployment and having our taxes contributing for their fancy lifestyle 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

Absolutely agreed that politicians should live on their super. It seems to me they keep changing rules that could impact on people 65 and above. I was made redundant by a govt department and got a payout of 1 year and I was desperate to get another job but all that I could get is casual work here and there. I still have to pay the same tax rate even though I don't know if I get work work tomorrow. I was told I have to wait for 12weeks before any help from Centrelink. It's not a fair system as I didn't ask to be made redundant. Politicians should also be made redundant by people choice and tender out the political positions and give them to the cheapest bidder. The same should apply to them. 

Garry
Garry from VIC commented:

They say you have to pay top dollar and benefits to get top people into politics....just like privatization of essential services.......Crying Shame it Doesn't Work.....makes you wonder who came up with these ideas????? 

George
George from NSW commented:

The government wants us to work beyond retirement age but employers do not want anyone over 55. I have had this experience. 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

I think the government need to stop paying the politicans after they leave office,and their trips and offices and let them live on there super same as everyone else. 

Joan
Joan from QLD commented:

I would like to see the politicians start with themselves when it comes to making savings. We have so many ex-politicians being paid large sums because they were once a politician. Just look at our former Prime Ministers there are so many it must be costing a fortune. The 'common' people like myself do not get lifetime handouts; even after working a job for 30 years. I am not saying that is the only answer to saving but at least show their sincerity by starting with themselves. Also make everyone pay their fair share of taxes e.g Google and stop giving heads of whatever millions in wages; even when they make a loss. 

Desmond
Desmond from QLD commented:

self funded retirees cost the government nothing and their super should not be taxed. The only benefit is on prescriptions whilst pensioners enjoy many lurks qand perks. If the tax rate was set at 20 cents in the dollar for all with no concessions whatsoever the budget would return to surplus . Why is the government paying $15000 per year for childcare and other perks for each child .No such benefits in our day and we survived . 

Maree
Maree from QLD commented:

Until the pollies are willing to decrease their wages,perks and super I will not believe that we are so poor a country we have to hit lower income people. New Zealand has changed it's GST rate and is now doing better than in the past. We need to rely on more than mining and manufacturing. We are blessed with natural resources and we should be at the forefront of developing this energy and helping the rest of the world. Politics need to change. We are now in the 21st century. 

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