What the Budget means for FiftyUps

VERY IMPORTANT FOR PENSIONERS: PBS co-payments rise for all patients: Co-payments and safety net thresholds under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme will rise for all patients from 1 January 2015. In a measure that will save $1.3 billion over four years, the co-payments for general patients will rise by $5 and the concessional co-payment will rise by 80 cents. These increases will be on top of the scheduled consumer price indexation increase from 1 January. The Government estimates the new co-payments from 1 January will be $42.70 for general patients (currently $36.90) and $6.90 for concession card holders (currently $6.00). Budget papers say: “The Government is increasing the amount patients contribute to help keep the PBS sustainable.” The Budget papers stressed the changes to the co-payment “will not affect the price of medicines for general patients which fall below the general co-payment.” On the Safety Net, the Budget says: “The Government is increasing the PBS Safety Net thresholds for all patients to keep the PBS sustainable, and to enable the Government to continue to protect those patients that are most in need.” 

A petition on change.org I felt compelled to sign: "It fills me with fear. One side of my body is paralysed from a stroke, writing this is really hard – but I need your help. The government has effectively cut funding to thousands of disabled pensioners, giving us 8 weeks notice and forcing us out of our homes. I can't believe the government is doing this. I'm working very hard to recover from a stroke that means I need carers to help me around home. But last month I was informed that my home care funding plan will be changed from July 1 – which means I have to come up with thousands of dollars in contributions in a few weeks or be forced into an aged care facility. I don't have that kind of money - I'm a pensioner!!!. This is a cruel policy that's forgotten the 20,000 other pensioners like me who are relying on a bit of help to stay in our homes. My entire life is in my home. This isn't just cruel. It doesn't even make financial sense. It's going to cost the government more in the long run by forcing so many people out of their own homes and into expensive aged care facilities. People's health declines quickly in those facilities compared with their homes and it'll just add to the cost of the health system. I was just starting to come to terms with my disability after having the stroke. Now my whole life has been turned upside down. I've thought about suicide, and am so depressed about having to lose my home. Please, please help me and thousands of other disabled pensioners by signing my petition to Tony Abbott and Mitch Fifield. Don't force us out of our homes." 

I have very little money, so it will not affect me. I am now 76 so not much phases me, I budget carefully to survive. Some others may have difficult times ahead, those with only a pension to rely on. I am not worried ab out people who have $8oo.oo or more to live on. A lot of higher income brackets may miss out on another overseas trip etc. More needs to be done for returning soldiers with post traumatic stress problems and physical injuries. Also people who have children with disabilities. 

As if the news were not depressing enough at the moment, the Vietnamese are slaughtering our cattle with... sledge hammers! Eight complaints in 2 years ! Something else a competent government should outlaw, live cattle export! 

The budget was extremely hard on seniors in WA as we had two budgets in one week. At least at the Federal level, these cuts may not get pass the senate. In WA Barnett has brought in cuts on concessions, utilities , council rates and eligibility for senior's cards and more. Seniors will vote Liberal out in 2017, both federally and locally. 

As a Self funded retiree on a very tight budget, I think the budget is very unfair, health funds up no help whatsoever. Struggle street has become an insurmountable obstacle. Margaret from NSW 

We have been deceived by this government. 

Joe Hockey sought to inspire some confidence on retirement incomes. “I want to reassure all Australian workers that they can have confidence in their retirement plans under this government. There will be no new taxes on superannuation under this government, and their age pension will continue to increase twice a year this year and every year at the highest available index rate,” he said last night. “These measures are all intended to provide security and and certainty for older australians in the years ahead.” "CONFIDENCE IN THEIR RETIREMENT PLANS" "CERTAINTY FOR OLDER AUSTRALIANS" What a joke 

The certainty of policy integrity has been the enduring linchpin of Liberal Governments since it was given life by Robert Menzies’ that I, and other family members have, without the tax benefits and government contributions of superannuation, worked hard, built our homes, educated our children and saved the after tax money for our retirement that, with Bank interest rates being at record lows, now requires the support of small part aged pensions but still, NOTABLY, eases the burden on the public purse. But this Liberal Government, having only established the previous pension upper cut out threshold in March 2015, then, lowering it in their May 2015 budget, displays cavalier concern for the 90,000 retirees affected or the past certainty of a Liberal Governments policy integrity they have destroyed. Charles F Bassett. 

Restart for jobseekers 50 and over is an utter joke. One needs to be a recipient of income support to qualify for an employer to hire you and gets the subsidy. Those of us who are not on income support but rely on superannuation/savings to survive also want to get a job as our funds are gradually used up and we have to get back in to the workforce. However we are discriminated by employers, recruitment agencies and also by the scheme. Where does this leave us? I discussed my dilemma with friends and I was told I should get training to become an aged care worker because the younger generation is not so interested in this field. Since I have Osteoarthritis on my neck and back I will be a risk to the patient and to myself! I am racking my brain in what field I will be suitable for given my experiences as an administration officer count for nothing whenever I applied for such roles. Even customer service roles I applied for I was told I was not suitable for them in spite of my experiences working in a call centre for 5 years. I became unsuitable once the recruitment agency worker asked me for ID. I have up to date computer skills e.g. I can use excel, powerpoint, word, visio, adobe indesign, HP records, database, sharepoint, myob, social media and the internet/intranet. I am a stylish and young looking 50 year old but further disadvantaged because of my ethnicity. Do I want to work? Damn right I do. I am eagerly waiting to hear what focus groups say about people in my shoes. Right now I am sick and tired of all the assistance given to those on income support. When I worked I was frugal and went without so I could put a little away for the rainy days and I also paid taxes. What's the incentive to put more in super or to save when it's always those on income support who get a helping hand? Might as well go and spend it all on a first class world cruise and come back home destitute and join the dole queue to Centrelink!