Should we scrap a formal retirement age?
If there is one area of the UK population which appears invisible for the vast majority of the time it is those in retirement and of pensionable age. Pensioner poverty is a term which is being used more and more over the last few years as the cost of living continues to increase for those in retirement while their incomes are very often slashed. So should we scrap the formal retirement age?
While MPs are currently debating retirement ages and what should be done in the future, with pensioner poverty in mind, we could be in danger of falling into a very serious and dangerous trap. If we take away the formal age of retirement what would happen to the national pension and benefits for those currently in retirement and those in the future?
Even though the authorities are currently pushing for this idea as a way to combat pensioner poverty it could potentially open the door to reduce yet further state assistance for the older generation. There is a significant danger that the old generations of the future could simply be "thrown to the wolves" and left to fend for themselves in later years.
Despite various equality laws coming into place over the last few years, the vast majority of these do not seem to be focused upon older workers, who often have years of experience but are left feeling unwanted and unemployable. We need to protect the older generation, not allow future governments to defer or reduce their financial support for this needy area of society.
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