Put up the qualifying age for Super

When the Old Age pension was introduced in 1898 the qualifying age was 65. At that time the life expectancy of males was 58.

111 years later, after life expectancy has risen by over twenty years, the qualifying age remains the same. It should go up. Key made a significant mistake in committing to keep it at 65.

And staying with the sensitive subject of Super, I didn't hear the interview but Phil Goff was apparently protesting yesterday on State Radio that, thanks to the suspension of the Cullen fund contributions, Maori would ending up paying for the Super needs of future generations because of their young population. I would advise against opening that can of worms Mr Goff. Maori are by a long shot the biggest users of working-age welfare and that usage is trending up. Analysis from around 2003 showed that the Maori economy was paying $2.4 billion in tax and receiving $2.3 billion in 'social benefits in cash'. It wouldn't be wise to go starting arguments about who is paying for who in Aoteoroa.

But it's funny isn't it? When it suits the socialists the song goes, "We're all in this together" and when it doesn't, fingers start being pointed. That's the problem with collective rights. They are never equal or fair.