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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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Anthony
Anthony from NSW commented:

The government says that pensions may not be possible in the future and yet they are looking to change superannuation structures that would make it even more difficult to save for retirement. Absolutely ludicrous. 

Russell
Russell from VIC commented:

From the comments above it is obvious the general view is politicians are over generously rewarded for their services in Super benefits and when they leave politics so before asking others to bear some of the burden needed to correct the deficit they need to set an example and fix their own house first. I agree an increase in the GST could solve some of the financial problems. providing Governments stick to their original agreement and not add additional taxes which they have done in the past. Unfortunately it is hard to trust Governments as they appear to have no problem breaking their word and promises. 

Pamela
Pamela from NSW commented:

It is interesting that the Prime Minister is over 50! I wonder if he is prepared to continue to work and then claim the aged pension when he is turfed out of office. (sorry tony!) I think it's about time that the polies got real and started to put something back (ie money) into the system and stop asking we who have little left. (ie too old to have been offered a super scheme) to keep tightening or belts. 

pauline
pauline from NSW commented:

I am so tired of the older generation being targeted. The Government should look at the younger generation. My grandsons mother has four children from different fathers and is now expecting her fifth child (different father again). The three older children were taken off her and now live with grandparents. How many other people are abusing the system this way. 

Earl
Earl from NSW commented:

Your home is only an asset when you sell it. The home cost money such as rates, power, upkeep, insurence . 

Earl
Earl from NSW commented:

Your home is only an asset when you sell it. 

Ron
Ron from NSW commented:

We should call on State and Federal Governments to rationalise upper house elections. Get rid of the ridiculous long forms and their tendency to allow unsuitable and un representative people to be elected. We might then avoid some of the counterproductive decisions that have become a way of life in recent years. I will vote for any major party that commits to upper house reform. 

Warren
Warren from QLD commented:

The real problem we have in this country is the inconsistency surrounding what is considered to be fair taxes paid to the government by the individual! Consider the huge hourly rates charged by the so-called 'professional element' in our society: I.E. plumbers, electricians, mechanics, etc. They gouge exorbitant hourly rates from people consisting of $100 and upwards for their 'work' - whilst at the same time, use every loophole provided to businesses in our tax system, to doge paying their fair share of taxes. One only has to look at the number of these people who seem to easily find thousands of dollars annually, to take their entire families on overseas cruises or trip - without blinking an eye. Likewise the medical profession who are so grossly overpaid for the services they provide. How long will it be before the entire budget for the provision of medical services in this country will be used up entirely to provide salary packages and wages to medical personal of all persuasions, with no money left to actually treat a patient! 

William
William from QLD commented:

Both my Wife and I are aged Government Pensioners. ( 79 Years Old) I am disabled and my Wife is my carer. We find it near impossible to support our selves on the Govt Pension. We have no income from any other sauce. Two of our major expenses are Private Insurance $320 per month, Bank Interest on Visa card $150 per month. We can noy afford to pay our Visa card off consequently the high interest. With insurance we can not afford to have , and we can not afford not to have. The Governrnent has plenty of money to support and pay about $250 a fortnight more to the illegal immigrants, but can not pay us the same with other benefits. $6.10 for prescriptions is not much to the average worker but it is a hell of allot for us where we pay $73.20 for the first 6 Months and Vitamins, B12, Vitamin D, Glucosamine, Iron Tablets, Fish oil , Magnesium, etc which cost us plenty about another $50 per month not covered by PBS. Illegal Immigrants, get board, Telephones Transport, Cash, etc and about another $250 per fortnight more than us pensioners. This is not fair they give us an increase of $ 8 fortnight and we ( because Govt Sanctioned it) pay $16 per month more for our Private insurance. Big Deal 

Rodney
Rodney from NSW commented:

Refer Q 11 in survey. Fresh food and school fees still exempt, but reduce the online to $500.00. Q 10 Why follow every body else. 

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