Are you prepared to work until you are 70?

[i-need-a-martini]

There is no way I will be. I am not planning to work beyond 55!

But it won't affect people like me will it? I have my own plans and they will be self funded.

So once again, it will be those less fortunate and less able to take care of themselves who will suffer.

[boris1gary]

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@just_me_karen wrote:
Should the farm labourer or fencer buy the farm? I guess that would help.

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Problem solved

Faced with the unpopular option of lifting the retirement age to 70, Treasurer Joe Hockey has launched a series of reforms that will reduce life expectancy instead. If successful, Mr. Hockey claims the ambitious plan will return Australia to a rate of growth not seen since the 18th century,

"Something I didn’t know until today, two other ministers have told me that it was Otto von Bismarck who set the pension age at 65," said the perpetually misinformed Hockey, while two other ministers sniggered behind his back. “Obviously Australians won’t stand for later retirement, so we’ve decided to lower the death age instead, saving billions from the budget on health”.

Taking the strong financial roadmap from OECD secretary general, former Mexican diplomat Angel Gurria, Mr. Hockey agreed to do his best to make Australia’s economy a lot more like Mexico’s, including cutting health and education completely, lowering wages and an increased spending on small businesses, like independent drug cartels.

Education Minister Christopher Pyne announced similar reforms to the curriculum this week that that will work in concert with these changes, including units on ‘Cheeky Urchin Discourse’, ‘Wallet Liberation’ and ‘Chimney Maintenance’. “Our children need more practical skills”, said Mr. Pyne, “and these changes will make sure they can go right out in to the workforce from day one”.

However, Mr. Hockey also admitted that these tough choices would be unpopular with voters.

“Even ministers will be expected to do their bit”, added Mr. Hockey, while lowering his own life expectancy by tucking into his fourth plate of pate de foie gras."

[*crikey*mate*]

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@just_me_karen wrote:
How does the govt make it realistic for a 68 yr old farm labourer? Or fencer? Or bricklayer?

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as I said Karen, there will be some who this adversely affects. Please try and absorb all of my comments.

Initially such a scenario would have a greater impact on the current workforce, but in time, this would be minimized as people learned to think differently and diversified their skills base.

Maybe the 68 year old laborer could expend their expertise and knowledge to a whole new generation, become trainers rather than the actual braun.

Yes, I have acknowledged that some will be adversely affected, but there are far more people employed in non labour intensive occupations than there were 30 years ago, and that number is only increasing.

[just_me_karen]

Yes I see, so we need to get rid of manual labourers like fencers and farm workers.

and bricklayers, road workers and truck drivers.

Would this have any impact on our economy?

[katymatey*]

It comes down to fitness to work imo. We have celebrated my OH's 70th birthday this weekend. He is still working a physical job, and will probably continue until at least the end of the year. It is choice  though and not a compulsion. 

[debra9275]

DH. with Erica's post, when you read it all, you can see some of the difficulties older people face if they do want to work. If people want to work, they should be able to, but they should not be FORCED to find work because they don't have sufficient savings to support themselves at that age

[chuk_77]

and trolley boys, no wants that job and it makes shopping so much easier when you can find a trolley. I take my hat off to them. 

Just came back from doing shopping and had to wait for the trolley guy to move his trailer, i almost asked him if he aspired to become a judge but didnt really want to be laughed at. I for one hope he doesnt because i dont want to go searching for half an hour for a trolley when i go shopping

[lakeland27]

all that talk of a nanny state last year, when it appears Nanny want us to work longer to save on pensions .

would it not be easier and smarter to share the countries mineral wealth with the people who live here and not just let one narky largish woman have it all ? why not let all largish and skinny Australians share in what is by rights theirs ? why is that so hard to understand ? if you put it in a purely democratic context the rineharts can vote 'NO" and the rest of the country can vote as they wish

the problem with our democracy is that we are never really given a say in these matters .. not really a democracy when all of the questions are not asked is it ?

[grandmoon]

We don't have any problem finding trollies since Woolie put the new coin operated ones.  People now return the trollies to get their coins back.

[*crikey*mate*]

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@debra9275 wrote:

DH. with Erica's post, when you read it all, you can see some of the difficulties older people face if they do want to work. If people want to work, they should be able to, but they should not be FORCED to find work because they don't have sufficient savings to support themselves at that age

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I get what you are saying.

I'm just looking at the aspect that if it is "socially accpetable" and the norm to work until you are 70, then it becomes a lot easier for those choosing to do so.

Plus with all the other factors impacting on those who aren't in the position to accumulate wealth earlier in life, it gives them a bit more time when they might not have to survive on a pension iykwim.

From what i can make out, the pension is pretty low and a hard way to live if you don't have some back up. Why would anyone able to work be in a hurry for that kind of a lifestyle?

and for thiose who do manage to accumulate their wealth by 65 or earlier, they can still retire and have no adverse affects as they will be self funded, which seems to be the way we are being forced.

[just_me_karen]

Exactly...as a society, we need people in all types of jobs, including trolley boys.

If, as suggested, all these manual labourers are trained for management or business ownership roles (for example the trolley boy could buy the supermarket lol), people in other jobs would not have the time to perform their roles productively.

The accountant would be too busy servicing his car, doing his own home renos, gardening, growing his food and killing his sheep 😄 .... We'd become a nation of semi skilled workers.

It's like all problems - doing something now will be more cost effective than waiting until it becomes a big problem.

Govt should be making it easier for high risk savers to prepare for retirement, especially now that people are living longer. Cuts to superannuation are the silliest move ever, as are cuts to proposed wage increases for the lowest paid.

govts don't make sensible decisions because they know they won't be around...and they don't think with a future orientation...nor do many people. They think "now now now" for their own immediate gain.