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

I have been working from the age of 12. Doing a 30 Km paper run on a pushbike every day and a milk run in the morning from 4.00am to 8.00am before I went to school. Saving for my first car. I worked till I was 65years old, and now I can't do anything because of my back. How will other people get on if they have to work to 70years old? Time they can stop work they will not be able to enjoy a couple of years that they have left. How many people will be able to in joy the remaining years. Whey can cut their pensions in half and that will save the country. They are not game to say that they don't control their pension. That way they can duck for cover. 

I work for Qld Health . I think the dole should be given in the form of vouchers as l see first hand where their money goes !!!!! On hair extensions , alcohol ,Tatoos and piercing whilst their children are neglected from nutrition ,claiming their can't afford things !, yeah...right.But they Bragg about how much they paid for the Tatoos !,,,,!!!!!!! 

I am retired due to ill health, however the cost of living makes every fortnight a struggle. It would be nice if this country could sort out the Government's lurks and perks and for them to stop blaming pensioners for their mismanagement. 

I truly believe that if you are on a pension, then the cost of your pension should be paid back from your whole estate. After all, when you are dead, you no longer need your multi million dollar place of residence, and this way, there would be no pressure to sell your residence while you need it to live in. The welfare for middle and upper middle class welfare receipients has got totally out of hand and welfare will only stretch just so far. It should be for those who need it. And if your total assets including your place of residence is currently over one million dollars, then you SHOULD NOT BE ON THE PENSION. You have assets. And yes, I know we all worked hard, but not everyone is fortunate, and yes, I also know many people bought their homes when it was cheaper. (a lot ). But I am talking about right now, not 40 years or so years ago. 

I like my work, which is fortunate, as I will have no choice but to continue, probably until I drop dead! I do object to being discriminated against, as my experience is valuable - the problem is - it means I am too expensive for many employers in my field. If any government wants us to work until we are 70, then the following issues need to be addressed at the same time, because, if we are fit enough to work, then we should expect: 1. raised age limits for drivers' licences 2. raised age limits for insurances, including travel insurance As for means testing, I am against it. I do not believe that one's assets should be taken into account, as these are often not in cash, but in property such as the family home. I also resent the fact that I have been trying to save in order NOT to be dependent on government handouts - and joy of joys! I end up being taxed on my savings! That's the reward we get for trying to do the right thing. I may as well keep my money in a tin at home. 

I would like to know WHY politicians who no longer hold a seat still get benefits from taxpayers. Eg a fully funded office, free flights, overseas travel, chauffeured cars plus very generous superannuation scheme and numerous other benefits. Collectively these handouts would place a huge burden on State & Federal economy's. Next time our beloved leaders are blaming pensioners for the drain on the economy I would like to see retired politicians figures disclosed at the same time. 

Lets get serious. Either the aged pension is for those who put in (paid taxes) all their working life, so they can retire with lower financial stress. Or, it's all about welfare in which case pay only the needy, the ones who fell through the cracks through no fault of their own, such as an elderly woman who losses her husband then to find the house is mortgaged up to the hilt for gaming debts or someone with some other unforseen problem. Sure, help them, give them vouchers (or some form of electronic system) that can only used on food, shelter and clothing. I'm fed up with paying other peoples pensions only to find they live better than I do (yup - don't qualify for a pension). In my opinion the aged pension for a couple is a ridiculously high amount of cash. They've had their whole lives to sort it out but instead lived the 'Life of Riley' and now rely on being paid from money forcibly donated by other tax payers. That said, I feel the family home should remain out of the argument. In a lot of cases it's not some elderly persons fault their house value increased. Don't make someone have to consider selling their home just because they bought it at a time and in an area where values outside of their control have risen. 

It annoys me that the over 50s are being targeted as responsible for a future blowout in revenue due to needing the old age pension. The stark reality is the superannuation was NOT compulsory until about 1996 and very few companies, even public ones, encouraged staff to join a super scheme. I was with the NSW Dept of Education for ten years and was never even advised/ encouraged/ told to join a superannuation scheme. There is no way the these people have enough in superannuation due to this. Pick on those who have been in a scheme all of their working life; not those who are not responsible for this shortfall in the budget. 

I get very frustrated with the young and middle aged unemployed who refuse to look for work conscientiously the dole is for genuine people who through no fault of there own find it difficult to find work how often do you see companies take a hand out from the government to employ such people and after the 3 month the subsidy finishes the poor person is put off with the excuse that there is not enough work to keep them employed, Tighten up the rules to stop greedy employers and bludgers who think that the Dole is there gifted right 

Sick of being blamed for all the problems of today. Show some respect to the hard workers who built this country. We raised families, paid taxes, built homes all with little government handouts. A little "Child Endowment" We worked for our pensions/part pensions, now they want to move the goalposts. Had government not allowed our industries and assets be sold off overseas we would have employment for OUR people, then profits and taxes would have stayed within our country. Not be in the mess that has been created. Soon there will be nothing left to sell. If over 65's are so much a drain on Australia why not just give us a lethal injection and get rid of us.