JULY PRICE RISES MAKE ENERGY THE #1 COST OF LIVING ISSUE FOR OVER-50S

      JULY PRICE RISES MAKE ENERGY THE #1 COST OF LIVING ISSUE FOR OVER-50S

A national survey of over 1,800 over-50s has found that 42% of them consider the price of energy bills to be the number one cost-of-living issue they face.

The poll represents a big turnaround from two months ago, when more than half named Private Health Insurance as their #1 concern.

The surveys were conducted by the FiftyUp Club and shows that annual energy price rises have hurt a demographic segment that makes up one-third of the nation’s population.  

Electricity prices have more than doubled over the past decade nation-wide, so it comes as little surprise that energy is the major contributor to bill stress. The survey found:

• Energy/Electricity costs were number one issue with 42%
• Health Insurance costs were second with 23%
• And Council rates were third with 13%

But help is at hand for those who want it. Even with energy prices growing year on year, a recent report has found many households are still not doing anything about it.

The Australian Energy Market Commission recently reported that consumers in the states where electricity switching is possible, half have not switched in the past 5 years

Even though the report shows that switching from the default offer to a competitive market offer, savings could be up to; $140 in SE QLD; $256 in NSW; $383 in Victoria; and $312 in SA.

FiftyUp Club spokesperson Christopher Zinn commented; “Energy price rises have been a consistent story for years now, and there’s no need to suffer in silence.

“There is plenty of help out there for over-50s who want it, from consumer services groups like the FiftyUp Club and others who can help you cut your energy bills.

They need to start shopping around and take advantage of the discounts so readily available.

The FiftyUp Club has over 190,000 members and uses their combined buying power to unlock special offers and lobby on their behalf. It’s free to join at www.FiftyUpClub.Com.au.

NB to editors & producers: Details of case study over-Fifties who are finding their energy bills to be a major issue are available for media outlets.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Kayley Harris, Content Director

EMAIL: Kayley@fiftyupclub.com.au | PHONE: 0488 066 022