Sea of uncertainty for superannuation
The recent announcement by the Prime Minister Bill English on future state superannuation eligibility is important. The changes will mean the age of eligibility will rise to 67 years in gradual steps starting 20 years from now. This means, importantly, that the the changes will not affect anyone born before June, 1972. We asked you what you thought about the announcement and what it might mean a full two decades from now. depending on the work you do. For hard manual labour it’s at 65, but for office workers etc, it’s at 67. That’s what we need here in New Zealand I think
GAIL GODTSCHALK, BIRCHVILLE
Even though on the surface this announcement doesn’t effect me I am still disgusted that they are proposing the increase of age to retirement. How can as a society we ask our children to firstly be in debt before they even start working in the hope they might get a support role? They have to jump through hoops to get into a job ... and now we are asking them to fund retirees! Surely we should all be talking about the forever increasing cost of living as two thirds of most wages these days are going on accommodation cost and the last third on trying to make ends meet on day to day living.
SANDRA ALEXANDER, TIMBERLEA
I also feel for the younger people with student loan nooses hindering them saving for retirement. Then there’s the fact that one can get superannuation whilst continuing to work. Should it be an automatic right at age 65/67? I suspect they are just trying to rid the noose from their neck really. I just missed out on getting the pension at 60 when they raised it to 65. Just pleased I am still here to receive something.
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