COTA Australia

More senior Australians should be encouraged to work. ABS statistics show the jobs are there and the outcome would boost GDP, but the current rules actively work against them doing so.

New research by the peak dental body finds a staggering number of older Australians suffering from debilitating oral issues. To arrest this alarming situation, two seniors organisations want the incoming government to introduce a Seniors Dental Benefit Scheme.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has given a fair impression of Santa Clause with older Australians certainly beneficiaries of his largesse via an $150 energy subsidy, expanded GP bulk billing and cheaper medicines.

The incoming government is being urged to implement a Seniors Dental Benefits Schedule. By not acting, more seniors are being admitted to hospital with oral health issues at a mounting cost to the taxpayer.

Despite government increases to this social benefit, the Melbourne-based think tank argues retirees in the housing rental market are struggling to make ends meet – especially single women.

Financial Services Minister Stephen Jones is finally addressing the retirement industry’s elephant in the room – how super funds continually fail to meet the expectations of members once they are in the pension phase.

Industry funds played a deft hand when the bulk of their members were in the accumulation phase. With members now retiring in growing numbers, a new skill set is urgently needed – and the reforms to overhaul the decumulation phase announced by Treasurer Jim Chalmers could help.

Merchants’ card payment costs and surcharges are hurting seniors in their wallets and purses, especially as cash transactions dwindle. This could be set to change with two powerful statutory bodies setting inquiries into motion.

An Australian Human Rights Commission study released this week is highly critical of the fourth estate for its coverage of ageing issues, citing a disproportionate focus on tensions between older and younger generations around wealth and finance as one obvious example.

The Aged Care Act, achieved with rare political cooperation, will put residential and home care on a more sustainable basis with individuals’ contributions more closely attuned to their financial position.