Pensioner Poverty rife in New Zealand

We hear from our Government about child poverty levels in New Zealand, but nothing about Pensioner Poverty? Pensioners are the ‘forgotten generation’ who have worked all their lives, paid taxes, brought up kids, clothed and fed them and now find they themselves are living in poverty.

Child poverty has nothing to do with the kids, it is their parents that need educating. They need to take responsibility and not play the system by asking someone else to feed and clothe their children. Yes, there are those who are genuine cases and it is they who deserve all the help and assistance they can get.

The minimum wage, on a 40hr week, in New Zealand is $15.75/hr or $630 gross per week but a single pensioner is supposed to live on $9.75/hr or $390.20 gross before tax.

Living and food costs are the same for pensioners as everyone else, but the pensioner is forced to live on $240 a week less – WHY?

Pensioners deserve more than just to exist, they deserve a ‘living wage’ to be able to enjoy life without worrying how they are going to pay their bills. No doubt this will not suit the millennials who believe Seniors had it easy and that they are now having to pay for them but ‘News Flash’ who paid to bring the millennials up? They too will grow old and who will be paying for them – the next generation!

There are over 700.000 pensioners in New Zealand, many living in poverty, so the question must be asked - what is our Government going to do for them?

Paul Rea

Chairperson

NZSP

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