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NewsCAMPAIGN LAUNCH: Fair Go for FiftyUps
CAMPAIGN LAUNCH: Fair Go for FiftyUps

CAMPAIGN LAUNCH: Fair Go for FiftyUps

Tags: FiftyUp Club
Last updated by Chris Zinn on

So why are we asking you to contribute ideas to a campaign called Fair Go for the FiftyUps which is designed to discover more about how the cost of living effects you?

Can politicians in Canberra, who make key decisions around issues which impact your spending life such as super, pensions, health care, utility bills etc, really do much?

And aren’t we told to stop complaining because we’re meant to be better off than other age cohorts, and don’t the statistics signify cost of living pressures are actually easing?

Sorry to start with such questions but the essential idea of the campaign to  invite you to answer some for yourself because we believe the voice of 1 in 3 Australians is valid.

You represent half of all domestic buying power. You count but many policies about low interest rates, pension eligibility and taxes on super have hit older Aussies harder than others.

So consider taking a few minutes to fill in the survey. It’s not hard or intrusive and may end up helping you and others make your dollar go further.

We will present your answers, and just as importantly your comments and suggestions, to the pollies who always claim to be working in our best interests.

But it doesn’t hurt reminding them of what those actually are. Remember over-50s spend more on essential items than under-35s and are especially exposed. Almost twice as much on health care and one and half times as much on fuel and power.

 The political establishment can’t always control prices, such as petrol which is set internationally, but it can intervene to drive competition, transparency and regulations which benefit consumers.

Certainly history, if not always age, has treated some FiftyUps well. Assets such as homes have rapidly appreciated in price. But it’s not rare to be asset-rich but cash-poor which limits your room for movement.

Changes to pension eligibility rules mean 325,000 older Australians will lose some or all of their pension. This tied in with increases to the cost of living  and longevity this week led the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia  (ASFA) to warn we need to save even more for retirement.

They now estimate we’ll need a super balance at retirement of $640,000 for a couple and $545,000 for a single, (at least it shows the savings to living in pairs), which is an increase of $130,000 and $115,000 respectively from previous estimates.

And for those who say prices are now more stable the AFSA research found petrol was up 12% in the last quarter and medical and hospital services, which older people rely on more, were up 4.5%

Certainly some costs have dropped but despite what the statistics might say poll after poll shows that we are very sensitive to price rises especially when they feature large and infrequent changes such as electricity.

We know from our earlier and less comprehensive poll that 52% of you who responded turned off the heater and went cold to avoid punishing power bills this winter.

The Fair Go for Fifty Ups aims to find out what is really happening and how households around the country are handling the cost of living.

We want your ideas of what’s got to change in terms of policy, principles  and pricing  and we’ll take them to those who can hopefully deliver reforms which consider the over-fifties.

We are not asking for a special case. We are not saying the FiftyUps won’t face some change too.But we are saying one on three Australians deserve at the very least more of a a fair go.

Originally posted on .

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CAMPAIGN LAUNCH: Fair Go for FiftyUps

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carol
carol from WA commented:

And yes I am over 50 

carol
carol from WA commented:

I live in the Kimberly's and electricity is huge during wet season we don't have a choice up here to switch to another company so what do you suggest we do 

Nick
Nick from NSW commented:

The politicians and public "servant" entitlements and superannuation benefits are obscene!!!!! They are all for hitting pensioners and low/medium citizens but leave their own benefits as a taboo area to touch. Our country has changed over last 10-15 years for the worse primarily due to the above. There is no integrity left in our political system Nick Northern Beaches 

faouzie ibrahim
faouzie ibrahim from NSW commented:

I would like to say thank you to the fifty up club,did help me in some ways,with my electric bill,and recently i change my health insurance,hope all good,love this idea i will support my club we all need help,thank you to the fantastic team, Much Appreciated. Regards Faouzie. 

Fran
Fran from NSW commented:

I am on Centrelink Newstart and have a Carer looking after me due to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. However, I have now been referred to a job agency and forced to attend fortnightly appointments, and pressured to find work, and threatened that otherwise they will stop my payment. The problem is that I am not fit to work due to experiencing residual chronic pain from my injuries and other age related health issues. I am also currently renting and have very little savings. Therefore they are causing me a lot of stress and worry because they are putting me at risk of becoming homeless. I was entitled to receive my Age Pension when I turned 55 but they postponed it till the age of 60, and next year I am supposed to turn 60 but they have now postponed it till the age of 66 and 1/4! So it is clear that they have no intention to ever pay us anything because these present day politicians are wasting our entitlement lining their own pockets and paying job agencies to constantly harass us on their behalf. I worked 40 years of my life and paid lots of tax payments as have everyone else. Therefore, these politician had plenty of time to invest our tax payer's money for our Age Pension instead of complaining we are living too long. 

Claudia
Claudia from VIC replied to Fran:

Guess what Fran I have just completed a government funded disability support course at aged 52 which was supposed to get me a job in disability support.Now I am faced with government forcing people with a disability to go on new start furthering there health problems due to stress which requires a nurse.My job now appears to be useless as I do not fit the requirements as a carer, PCA or a nurse. I hope you do not stress as we are all in the same boat when it comes to government attacks.I am sure they are headed for self destruction soon as this attack is only a diversion from a much huger problem and there is no money for them at the bottom of this pit. 

Claudia
Claudia from VIC commented:

The most FiftyUps enjoy working or staying active, the pension is a necessity, if government stopped wasting money on enquiries about its own bad behavior and invested our money in being a more productive country. reduced the number of unproductive departments of watch the people they might be making money without a licence, permit or experience, then us oldies might be able wash a window or mow a lawn and give the main jobs to our children who also will get old. 

margaret
margaret from NSW replied to Claudia:

Not only might we be able to do small jobs but right now we can,we can, we can, and I do. There is plenty of leeway to earn a little above the age pension without incurring penalties. Getting out and doing odd job required by those older or less capable than you for small amounts of money, or earning a few dollars 'going to work' at home, for a couple of hours 4 or 5 days a week, by indulging in a craft or hobby that may only produce a few dollars profit is not only allowed, but is worthwhile. Although your hourly rate may be small, the amount earned when multiplied by the times per month it is done, can, when earned month after month, add up to a useful amount.( $15 by 10 =$150 and $7 by 24= $168), amounts that will not pay for an ocean cruise in three months, but will take the edge off those bills which you should have covered but some times come in a little higher than expected. The other 'gain' is that you are involved in doing something that is reasonably pleasant, at a slight gain instead of a cost, and this can reduce the consolation/boredom spending that so often happens when one has a whole life to fill in. Of course you may grow these activities into something like a part time job, or just remain happy earning a little here and there. The one thing you can count on is.... You will never fail at something if you attempt nothing. 

Denise
Denise from NSW commented:

I'm coming to the age of retirement and find that I will be struggling because of the high cost of living. Through the fifty club I have been able to get discount that where not avaiable before. I would be great if the govt of the day would acknowledge the contributions and sacrifice that I have made during my life time. I have never asked for assistance before, have lived within my means and because of that are beong penalised in the future. I have tried to build my super to help with retirement, but because I'm a widow of 19years this has been limited. I have supported my family which have never asked the govt for assistance we have always worked for what we have. Now I feel I'm just a number to the govt, happy to take while I was working, paying all my taxes, but not giving when I do need assistance. This govt I understand doesn't have limited resources, but so much is wasted within its structures, needs to be living within there budget just like me, but cutting costs in the right areas. Please wake up before it is too late regards Denise 

Ron
Ron from QLD commented:

I am on the OLD AGE PENSION together with my wife.I like most other people in my age bracket 71 have paid my taxes-rates-private health insurance-electricity-house insurance ect ect ect.I am only on the pension after have been through several crashes in my superannuation which depleted my income.I now find that I am struggleing to keep up.as an example local rates in the last 12 months after having paid $200.00 per month so as to not have a large account every 6 months. I find that I have to pay an extra $600.00 on top every six months.health insurance has increased in cost -Ergon electricity had gone up-house insurance has gone up-contents insurance has gone up-registration on my 4 cylinder motor car has gone up.yes the pension has gone up but not enough to cover these costs.the Government want us oldies to stay in our own homes for as long as possible but it is becoming impossible and there is not enough money left to buy in a retirement village so look out my children they will be having to look after my wife and my self in the future.lets see if the polys can exist on what we are expected to 

dale
dale from QLD commented:

I will never understand why the goverment of Australia has to suck up to overseas countries such as china ,indonesia and such ,would china let australia mine their land in such a delicate aera,no ,what we must understand is politicans dont have to worry about how it affects them,they will be right mate,with their pensions and perks, while the averege aussie has to do it tough,when will we stand up against these rip off artists and that is what they are,as for looking after over 50s ,yea right, i am sick to deah of hearing how much they do for us ,when,all they do is line their own pockets, 

Dell
Dell from QLD commented:

My name is Lial ...NSW. I wonder who exactly owns the rights to distribute our electricity .Is it privatised Does 1 huge Co. have the Control, ?? There seems to be no rules set for charges, such as supply charges on top of electricity charges ,plus meter reading charges etc. Peak & off Peak 1 or 2 etc. We seem to have no say or recall of anything . Why don't our Govs. set out certain rules before selling us out { Hopeless thought I think } I see 1 town is completely off the Grid . Wonder how that works . Any-one know which Town ?? 

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