Post by Banker on May 3, 2012 8:32:36 GMT 7
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures released yesterday, pensioners are almost 2 per cent or roughly $30 per month better off than in the previous financial year. Yet, when reading over our recent post on the latest round of pension increases, it seems pensioners are doing it tougher than ever.
YOURLifeChoices member ‘stardust’ commented on the recent pension increase by saying “Yes, our $5.00 each per fortnight rise ... rent went up 4 weeks ago by $5.00 a week (govt housing) ... private health going up $7.50 from 1 April 2012”.
It seems like the pensioners of this country are of little importance to governments and with no major party representing their interests, they do not have adequate representation in parliament. Consider for a moment the ‘same-sex marriage’ debate that continues to pop its head up every two to three weeks in the media. There is a strong party and advocatcy group push for the political parties of Australia to recognise their human rights. The same can’t be said for Australian pensioners.
I have been working in the ‘seniors’ sector for the past eight years, having worked for a company that provided post acute care in the home and then transitioning into a job at About Seniors website, now YOURLifeChoices. Over that time, I have become emotionally attached to the 50+ demographic and the struggles pensioners face.
To better understand how hard Pensioners have it, I’m going to be putting my money where my mouth is and spend a week in the life of a Pensioner. While I will continue to work my day-job, I will plan my week around a set budget (single age pension) and live within the means. My 'pension' week starts this Sunday!
Any hints or suggestions on how to budget my ‘age pension’ for the week would be welcomed.
Do you put a certain amount of money you put away per fortnight for future medical payments or holidays?
www.yourlifechoices.com.au/news/living-a-week-in-the-shoes-of-a-pensioner
YOURLifeChoices member ‘stardust’ commented on the recent pension increase by saying “Yes, our $5.00 each per fortnight rise ... rent went up 4 weeks ago by $5.00 a week (govt housing) ... private health going up $7.50 from 1 April 2012”.
It seems like the pensioners of this country are of little importance to governments and with no major party representing their interests, they do not have adequate representation in parliament. Consider for a moment the ‘same-sex marriage’ debate that continues to pop its head up every two to three weeks in the media. There is a strong party and advocatcy group push for the political parties of Australia to recognise their human rights. The same can’t be said for Australian pensioners.
I have been working in the ‘seniors’ sector for the past eight years, having worked for a company that provided post acute care in the home and then transitioning into a job at About Seniors website, now YOURLifeChoices. Over that time, I have become emotionally attached to the 50+ demographic and the struggles pensioners face.
To better understand how hard Pensioners have it, I’m going to be putting my money where my mouth is and spend a week in the life of a Pensioner. While I will continue to work my day-job, I will plan my week around a set budget (single age pension) and live within the means. My 'pension' week starts this Sunday!
Any hints or suggestions on how to budget my ‘age pension’ for the week would be welcomed.
Do you put a certain amount of money you put away per fortnight for future medical payments or holidays?
www.yourlifechoices.com.au/news/living-a-week-in-the-shoes-of-a-pensioner