Cutting Through The Red Tape

Why can't Australia have a pension set up like Austria and Germany where all the super is run by the government. Friend of mine only worked 5 yrs in Austria before coming to Australia and retired her at age 73 yrs. Gets more pension a month from Austria than Australia. Alex from WA 

Why can't Australia have a pension set up like Austria and Germany where all the super is run by the government. Friend of mine only worked 5 yrs in Austria before coming to Australia and retired her at age 73 yrs. Gets more pension a month from Austria than Australia. Alex from WA 

I believe the government punishes the people who do the right thing working hard with very little grants or a helping hand in life. Our taxes help pay the unemployed, pensioners, refugees etc but there is nothing for us when we retire. Go live off your earnings they say. 

Agree with article and most comments. Should be same as NZ & UK---once pensionable age, after a VERY short form to quote lifelong Nat. Insurance number and verify ID, automatically paid within 2/3wks. I receive a part UK pension based on contributions and not in 8 years ever had need to contact them or them me. Could be billionaire and still receive, it just goes in tax return as any other income does and if high taxable income it just goes back to Govt in income tax. How simple is that? Too simple for Australian Govt. it seems. 

Seems like most of us are fed up! I can see two easy ways to simplify the process. One is to follow the NZ example as explained in forum ie as soon as you turn 65 you automatically get the pension then when tax time comes around you are taxed accordingly. The other is obvious and that is to employ more people to process the forms. That would create more jobs . Maybe some people on the dole would be delighted to have a job. Maybe some of us waiting in line for the results of pension application would gladly take a position processing data. Like many others it seems, I started work at 15 but I didnt wait 4 or 5 months to pay my taxes as we are being told to wait for our pension applications to be processed! 

Anonymous victoria I agree that there should be an easier way to apply for the pension. I still work and probably will till I just can't anymore. I don't have a lot in super and have worked hard since 15 years old. In the 1950 s the then government brought in an extra tax to cover pensions which I thin would have been similar to what New Zealand have now. But bob hawke decided to put this tax into the total tax pool and no one mentions this now. Quite frankly I am sick of hearing that a pension is a privelege and the pollies and some media trying to lump pensioners in with the welfare recipients it never used to be. Majority of older people have paid their dues to help everyone else time for a bit of pay back. I would love to see a movement on this with some grey power. 

From reading comments it seems as though you are all giving up, giving in to what you are all entitled to. Let the moguls win all that is due to you by walking away, moaning and hoping someone else will fix the world for you. What happened to the cranky old retirees that decided to go to Centrelink, tell them they cannot read the small printed forms, make them fill in the paperwork for you, tell them there is noone else to do it. Centrelink expects us all to be dirt poor with no assets after working our entire lives paying taxes which pay their wages and salaries. Make them work for you. Get as much good information from those that have found successful avenues to their pensions and follow suit. I am semi retired, own my home, have some good assets, but do you think I would truthfully tell thise that have deceived others from what is rightfully theirs the whole truth? No way! When the time comes I will be fully armed and a very cranky old lady, they will be pleased to be rid of me, just like a spoilt child. Wendy vs Centrelink, that will be the day. On the other comment regarding voluntary euthanasia, I totally agree there should be centres that people could go to, watch a lovely movie, sign their life away, have their favourite pet with them with instructions for the pet afterwards, have their favourite meal, have peace and quiet away from noisy hospitals and be let go with a lovely sedating injection. It's about time this was taken out of doctors hands and given back to the people. The government is biting its nails over the baby boomers, maybe we will make a difference who knows, but I will be saving my pills in the meantime. I will choose when I go and in what conditions. Good luck to you all. Wendy T. 

Never mind the paperwork. It is about time the workers of Australia received a Government Pension by contributing to a Pension fund as they do in the UK and other places around the world. None of this industry/retail super fund rubbish. You cannot grew your super on the share market - you may as well go onto Bet365. I was born in UK and left when I was 20, and have just applied for my Government Pension and received it. Great system. But then we need politicians with some foresight. Not likely. 

For N.B. Hosking: You need to make an appointment to see a Centrelink Financial Advisor. This is a free service and he/she will guide you through with no actual financial advice but guidelines to determine if you qualify for full, or part pension, also what options or strategies you may have. We did this when retiring at age 70. The Advisor will give you a print out of all options discussed and the then you are at least armed with knowledge you did not previously have. They will also tell you if you qualify for a pension and a health card. Its is also a wise idea to consult with a Financial Advisor at Centrelink if you are involved in an Inheritance. These Financial Advisors know the Centrelink System intimately!!! Highly recommend. Karen Brown. 

the process is harrowing and daunting for people of that age. I totally agree that it should be simplified . Some of the questions seem totally irrevelent