Australian pensioners can now earn more without losing benefits

@JudyEv (341947)

Rockingham, Australia

September 4, 2022 2:45am CST

There has recently been a national jobs summit held in Australia. As businesses strive to return to pre-Covid production, there is an acute shortage of workers in our country, both skilled and unskilled. Backpacker numbers dropped dramatically and there were fewer migrants coming in to swell the ranks of employable people. One of the outcomes of the summit was that pensioners will now be able to earn an additional $4,000 this financial year. At the moment, we can earn $480 a fortnight without it affecting our pension. Other decisions include extending visas and relaxing work restrictions for international students, together with extra money to hasten the clearing of visas. Some pensioners might be keen to pick up some part-time work or to extend their current hours. We get income from selling our endurance ride photos but we are nowhere near the limit so it won’t really affect us. The photo is mine – another view from our house-sit looking out over the dam. It looks a nice spot for a picnic, doesn’t it?

27 people like this

27 responses

@yoalldudes (35037)

• Philippines

4 Sep 22

That is a beautiful landscape photo you took. I believe that is a good news for pensioners.

5 people like this

@JudyEv (341947)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Sep 22

Some people who have, maybe, part-time jobs will be pleased to be able to earn a bit more each week.

3 people like this

@yoalldudes (35037)

• Philippines

11 Sep 22

@JudyEv Any good news makes me happy. Im happy for you there in Aus

@Beestring (14686)

• Hong Kong

4 Sep 22

That is indeed a nice spot for picnic. Love to see your pictures.

4 people like this

@JudyEv (341947)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Sep 22

I'm glad you're enjoying the photos. I'm enjoying being able to share them.

2 people like this

@rebelann (112966)

• El Paso, Texas

4 Sep 22

Wow, what a neat place to have a picnic or just sit and enjoy the scenery, it's beautiful. You aren't going to want to leave when the owners come back.

2 people like this

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@rebelann (112966)

• El Paso, Texas

5 Sep 22

I can understand that, it's a beautiful place and they didn't do too badly with the house either

2 people like this

@JudyEv (341947)

• Rockingham, Australia

6 Sep 22

@rebelann Nearly all the door-knobs, light switches, door plates are old-style but put in recently I think. The bathroom fittings are antique-looking too but new.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (341947)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Sep 22

They said when they saw the place they didn't care what the house was like, they'd buy anyway. As it is, the house is quite nice.

2 people like this

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@RebeccasFarm (90381)

• Arvada, Colorado

4 Sep 22

Well this is always good news. Right on Judy. This photo is divine!!

3 people like this

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@RebeccasFarm (90381)

• Arvada, Colorado

4 Sep 22

@JudyEv Oh its so beautiful Judy..this is the best photo I have seen all year on here..to me it just is paradise

2 people like this

@JudyEv (341947)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Sep 22

@RebeccasFarm I was surprised the photo came out so well but that's exactly how it looks.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (341947)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Sep 22

I can just see us sitting at that table eating our lunch.

2 people like this

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@LadyDuck (472041)

• Switzerland

4 Sep 22

This is a good decision. With the increasing cost of life, this helps the pensioners but also the industries. Beautiful photo Judy, this surely is a lovely place where to sit and enjoy a picnic.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (341947)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Sep 22

Some who have recently retired might appreciate the chance to be able to work part-time for a bit longer.

3 people like this

@LadyDuck (472041)

• Switzerland

4 Sep 22

@JudyEv - I am sure they will. Some years ago they recalled the Bank employees here. They paid them to anticipate their retirement (they pay the younger less), then they had to call them back because the young employees were not trained and unable to do their job.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (341947)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Sep 22

@LadyDuck Employers tend to forget how skilled and experienced older people can be.

2 people like this

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@magallon (19279)

• Philippines

6 Sep 22

Wow you have a very nice spot to sit and relax. I think i have heard that retirement age in Australia was change to 65 or 67 years old. Is it true?

2 people like this

@JudyEv (341947)

• Rockingham, Australia

6 Sep 22

You can retire whenever you wish but to get the pension you now have to be 66 1/2. It did used to be 65.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (341947)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Sep 22

@magallon I'm not sure about the lump sum bit. I think they probably can but I don't know.

1 person likes this

@magallon (19279)

• Philippines

7 Sep 22

@JudyEv oh i see. So are you saying that if one australian retires at 60, she will not have her pension. But maybe she can have a lumpsum of her retirement money. Am i right?

1 person likes this

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@ptrikha_2 (47064)

• India

5 Sep 22

Good news for Pensioners. Plus it could mean more visas for International workers. However from what I have read, Australia hasn't been as inviting for international workers as say Canada. The rules tend to be more restrictive and it is not easy to get visa. The view looks quite picturesque!!

2 people like this

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@ptrikha_2 (47064)

• India

5 Sep 22

@JudyEv It is actually a complex policy making. One cannot perhaps be too strict or too lenient!

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (341947)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Sep 22

It has been very difficult to get into Australia but now they are relaxing the rules a little and adding more professions to the list of 'What Australian businesses need'. When backpackers couldn't enter there weren't enough workers for orchards/vineyard etc.

2 people like this

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@divalounger (6117)

• United States

4 Sep 22

Truly a lovely spot! I didn't realize that your income was capped once you start taking your pension. That must make it difficult to balance your finances-

2 people like this

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@divalounger (6117)

• United States

5 Sep 22

@JudyEv I bet! Your superannuation sounds a lot like either a work pension fund or a private IRA--am I correct?

2 people like this

@JudyEv (341947)

• Rockingham, Australia

6 Sep 22

@divalounger Sounds similar for sure.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (341947)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Sep 22

Most have superannuation and you're means tested before being eligible for a pension. But it's nice to be able to earn a bit extra if you want to.

2 people like this

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@DaddyEvil (137598)

• United States

4 Sep 22

Yes, it's a very pretty spot to have lunch. People have been complaining here because there aren't enough unskilled laborers to cover all the job vacancies since Covid supposedly "ended". (Mostly, it's retired people who want others to go back to work, though.)

2 people like this

@JudyEv (341947)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Sep 22

There are some who enjoyed their work and would like to be able to be involved and/or contribute for a bit longer.

2 people like this

@DaddyEvil (137598)

• United States

4 Sep 22

@JudyEv We don't see that very much here.

2 people like this

@LindaOHio (181498)

• United States

4 Sep 22

What a lovely spot! That would be a great place to sit and contemplate. There are shortages of workers here in the US as well. There are help wanted signs everywhere you look. That's good that pensioners in your country can now earn more.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (341947)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Sep 22

You never used to see 'help wanted' signs but now there are lots of them in all sorts of shops.

2 people like this

@LindaOHio (181498)

• United States

5 Sep 22

@JudyEv Yes, it's hard to understand and quite concerning.

2 people like this

@dgobucks226 (35733)

•

6 Sep 22

A picture postcard of a photo

Covid has really impacted the lives of people in so many ways

2 people like this

@JudyEv (341947)

• Rockingham, Australia

6 Sep 22

It looks nice in real life but, for some reason, really awesome as a photo.

2 people like this

Krissttina Isobe

@oahuwriter (26777)

• United States

5 Sep 22

Great, things looking up for many. America too, worker shortage, thus goods shortage, like my TO coming in 2 wks!!!! Seniors got this year 5.9% instead of about 1.3%. Sadly, Republicans elect has voter suppression going in, but Biden won anyway!!

2 people like this

@JudyEv (341947)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Sep 22

Lots of places here are having trouble getting staff.

2 people like this

Krissttina Isobe

@oahuwriter (26777)

• United States

6 Sep 22

@JudyEv Same everywhere, then.

2 people like this

@porwest (92484)

• United States

4 Sep 22

Even here, when it comes to social security, they place limits on how much one can earn before benefits are reduced. I never liked this practice considering social security is something we pay into to receive, so we should be able to earn whatever we want and still get the same amount in my opinion. But it is a great idea, and could help out labor shortage here as well.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (341947)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Sep 22

I hear what you're saying and mostly agree but at least they're doing what they can to ease the staffing shortages.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (341947)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Sep 22

@porwest I did read it wrong. Sometimes here, people seem to be disadvantaged if they try to get ahead.

2 people like this

@porwest (92484)

• United States

4 Sep 22

@JudyEv Maybe you missed what I said? I said I agree that pensioners should not have limited benefits for making money and that I encourage letting people work for whatever they want to earn without reducing benefits. I also said I think it is a great idea to help labor shortages to encourage pensioners to return to work without fear of losing benefits if they do. Did I miss something here? lol The bottom line for me is that I do not support government programs and systems that place limitations on people getting ahead, especially when something like social security (here) is not an entitlement, but rather something someone has fully paid into to receive the benefits from.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

4 Sep 22

What a view indeed. So stunning.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (341947)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Sep 22

When it fines up a bit more, we'll have lunch out there.

2 people like this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

5 Sep 22

@JudyEv Looks perfect for lunch.

2 people like this

@allknowing (137669)

• India

5 Sep 22

My friend's daughter in law has been waiting for her visa to join her husband in Australia. With this news she might get her visa now.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (341947)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Sep 22

We seem to have a terrible immigration department which can make it very difficult for people to come here. I hope it is improving now.

2 people like this

@FourWalls (68970)

• United States

4 Sep 22

That’s great of the Australian government! Wise, too: generally older workers are far more reliable. The US might end up doing that before too much longer. That is an absolutely GORGEOUS place to have a picnic, a nap, or to just sit and enjoy!

2 people like this

@JudyEv (341947)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Sep 22

Older people are often more dedicated, certainly more experience and, as you say, reliable. We'll have lunch out there one day soon,

2 people like this

@Shiva49 (26770)

• Singapore

4 Sep 22

Good to be able to earn more when we can. Businesses are trying everywhere to get skilled and trained workers after the virus subsided. Lovely spot indeed to enjoy nature.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (341947)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Sep 22

We have a low unemployment rate but high inflation at the moment. People are finding it hard to earn enough for their needs.

2 people like this

@Ronrybs (19585)

• London, England

5 Sep 22

We have a similar problem, since leaving the EU. So far the Government has been pretty clueless about what to do. Shocker!

2 people like this

@JudyEv (341947)

• Rockingham, Australia

6 Sep 22

They do a lot of talking and call for all sorts of reports and reviews but actually doing much that is of some use seems beyond them.

2 people like this

@thelme55 (77167)

• Germany

4 Sep 22

Wow!

That is a Good Spot for a picnic indeed. That is a good news for retired folks.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (341947)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Sep 22

It's a very pleasant place and we're enjoying it while we can.

2 people like this

@Neil43 (3363)

•

5 Sep 22

This is really good news. I hope we will have this in the Philippines. And your picture is really beautiful. It looks calm and safe. I would love to live there given a chance.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (341947)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Sep 22

I was lucky with the photo. It does look very calm and serene.

1 person likes this