Governments spend too much on Seniors

[tibear]

So let me get this straight, you acknowledge that there are problems with OAS. It is unfair and unethical but because it is too difficult to change, just leave it exactly as it is.

Am I persistent? Absolutely because I believe in fairness and fight for it. If people were stealing from your home every day wouldn't you get worked up over it and want someone to do something?

 

[JLM]

So let me get this straight, you acknowledge that there are problems with OAS. It is unfair and unethical but because it is too difficult to change, just leave it exactly as it is.

Am I persistent? Absolutely because I believe in fairness and fight for it. If people were stealing from your home every day wouldn't you get worked up over it and want someone to do something?

How can something that everyone will eventually receive be unfair? You change it in such a way it will be fairer. Drop the subject!

 

[Angstrom]

So let me get this straight, you acknowledge that there are problems with OAS. It is unfair and unethical but because it is too difficult to change, just leave it exactly as it is.

Am I persistent? Absolutely because I believe in fairness and fight for it. If people were stealing from your home every day wouldn't you get worked up over it and want someone to do something?

Nope, you would just be happy, with what you have, and not raise up a stink about it.
Cause eventually we all get a turn at it.

 

[DaSleeper]

I will believe in his candor when I see proof that he has refused his OAS cheque when he turns 65....I suspect he will have all kinds of excuses when that time comes...
Until then everything he says is simply blowing smoke........

 

[Angstrom]

I will believe in his candor when I see proof that he has refused his OAS cheque when he turns 65....I suspect he will have all kinds of excuses when that time comes...
Until then everything he says is simply blowing smoke........

Shotgun on his OAS!

PM me, I'll give you my PayPal account name.

 

[#juan]

We bought our first house in 1969 for just over $20,000.00 It was a three bedrom house with a large carport
under the sun deck. It had one full bathroom and an ensuite in the master bedrom. The house was just about
perfect for us. The kids each had their own bedroom and we had a large lot that we fenced in to give the kids
a back yard to play in. I sold that house for $50,000.00 when I was transfered to Winnipeg. I came back three
years later and that same house was on the market for over $100,000.00

 

[tibear]

How about this....can we at least all agree that the clawback for OAS should be reduced to some reasonable amount. For example, half of what the poverty line is for a family of four and would end when the senior has an income of the same poverty line.

I believe the poverty line for a family of four is around $50/annual. So clawback would start at $25/annual income and anyone making more than $50/annually would receive no OAS. Surely if a family of 4 can live off $50,000 annually then 1 senior can. Can't they?

All of the processes are in place today to do such a thing, the clawback system is already there we're just changing the numbers. Will seniors try to hide income, perhaps but it is already happening today and this will still allow for billions of dollars to go to more needy individuals.

It is still a flawed system but the seniors would still be getting some free money to pay for their hobbies.

 

[JLM]

We bought our first house in 1969 for just over $20,000.00 It was a three bedrom house with a large carport
under the sun deck. It had one full bathroom and an ensuite in the master bedrom. The house was just about
perfect for us. The kids each had their own bedroom and we had a large lot that we fenced in to give the kids
a back yard to play in. I sold that house for $50,000.00 when I was transfered to Winnipeg. I came back three
years later and that same house was on the market for over $100,000.00

Sounds like 1982!

 

[Angstrom]

How about this....can we at least all agree that the clawback for OAS should be reduced to some reasonable amount. For example, half of what the poverty line is for a family of four and would end when the senior has an income of the same poverty line.

I believe the poverty line for a family of four is around $50/annual. So clawback would start at $25/annual income and anyone making more than $50/annually would receive no OAS. Surely if a family of 4 can live off $50,000 annually then 1 senior can. Can't they?

All of the processes are in place today to do such a thing, the clawback system is already there we're just changing the numbers. Will seniors try to hide income, perhaps but it is already happening today and this will still allow for billions of dollars to go to more needy individuals.

It is still a flawed system but the seniors would still be getting some free money to pay for their hobbies.

The issue is not the seniors. That you take or give them more is not the problem.

The real issue is that young people are walking into a market place that is established.
The cost of living is based on what a babyboomers can afford to pay, not what someone
Just fresh out of school can afford to pay. So like you said they are stuck living with dad
And mom, until they catch up. But even that is not really a problem unless they have kids.

Instead of taking away someone's money you should just support giving more to young
Families. I'm sure everyone would be for that. Just need to sneak a new tax on hobby's
Somewhere in there to pay for it.

 

[karrie]

And don't forget, right now, that OAS may be what encourages a senior to get the heck out of a job that one of these very needy young people can take.

 

[JLM]

And don't forget, right now, that OAS may be what encourages a senior to get the heck out of a job that one of these very needy young people can take.

You're on the ball this morning, Karrie. Before anything should be changed there's a lot of sh*t to think about. I think we are dealing with a "loose cannon on the deck" here.-

 

[JamesBondo]

I wish oas was bigger, then i wouldnt need to pay into a pension

 

[tibear]

And don't forget, right now, that OAS may be what encourages a senior to get the heck out of a job that one of these very needy young people can take.

Your right there may be some but very few. How many people are going to give up $50,000, $60,000, $70,000 or more annually because they are getting $6,000? Very few.

 

[PoliticalNick]

I have to agree that there is definitely a flaw somewhere. The baby-boomers, who are the ones now collecting OAS are the richest generation to enter retirement in history. I look at my parents and see my mom, who still works and earns $68k/yr + benefits while collecting about $1000/mo in CPP plus the OAS. She actually doesn't use her CPP/OAS, she banks it. My dad & his wife both bank their OAS also as their combined pensions and investment income is pushing $80-90k. Now in a way I suppose I could just be self-centered & greedy and say it is all good because all that banked OAS will come to me (at least my 1/4 of it anyway) when they pass but I don't need the money (nor do my sisters) and obviously my parents don't need it either.

So given the fact that neither of my parents need OAS and simply bank it why are we bothering to pay it to them. Between My dad & his wife and my mom they are paid roughly $1500/mo in OAS, that is $18,000/yr (give or take a bit) that the government is realistically just putting into a savings account in their name. If there are even 1 million seniors in this same position that equates to $18 billion annually the govt gives to people who just don't need it. In this day & age of austerity is it not prudent to move that $18B to a program that is feeling severe negative impacts from budget cuts?

 

[gerryh]

Your right there may be some but very few. How many people are going to give up $50,000, $60,000, $70,000 or more annually because they are getting $6,000? Very few.

in other words, it's not really that much money?

 

[tibear]

I have to agree that there is definitely a flaw somewhere. The baby-boomers, who are the ones now collecting OAS are the richest generation to enter retirement in history. I look at my parents and see my mom, who still works and earns $68k/yr + benefits while collecting about $1000/mo in CPP plus the OAS. She actually doesn't use her CPP/OAS, she banks it. My dad & his wife both bank their OAS also as their combined pensions and investment income is pushing $80-90k. Now in a way I suppose I could just be self-centered & greedy and say it is all good because all that banked OAS will come to me (at least my 1/4 of it anyway) when they pass but I don't need the money (nor do my sisters) and obviously my parents don't need it either.

So given the fact that neither of my parents need OAS and simply bank it why are we bothering to pay it to them. Between My dad & his wife and my mom they are paid roughly $1500/mo in OAS, that is $18,000/yr (give or take a bit) that the government is realistically just putting into a savings account in their name. If there are even 1 million seniors in this same position that equates to $18 billion annually the govt gives to people who just don't need it. In this day & age of austerity is it not prudent to move that $18B to a program that is feeling severe negative impacts from budget cuts?

According to the newspaper article 15% of canadians receive OAS which means that the total paid out is more like $32 Billion paid out annually that as you say is going directly into the bank or being used for hobbies like travel or golf.

in other words, it's not really that much money?

Individually it isn't a whole lot of money but collectively it adds up to $32Billion each year.

If you agree that OAS individually isn't a whole lot of money then I guess it shouldn't be hard to give up....should it?

 

[JLM]

in other words, it's not really that much money?

Good one Ger! I'm proud of you. -

According to the newspaper article 15% of canadians receive OAS which means that the total paid out is more like $32 Billion paid out annually that as you say is going directly into the bank or being used for hobbies like travel or golf.



Individually it isn't a whole lot of money but collectively it adds up to $32Billion each year.

If you agree that OAS individually isn't a whole lot of money then I guess it shouldn't be hard to give up....should it?

Every time you open your mouth tibear you are stepping in a little deeper. All the money they pay out eventually comes back.

 

[karrie]

According to the newspaper article 15% of canadians receive OAS which means that the total paid out is more like $32 Billion paid out annually that as you say is going directly into the bank or being used for hobbies like travel or golf.

Now you're saying NO seniors need their OAS?

 

[JLM]

Now you're saying NO seniors need their OAS?

If this guy doesn't shut up pretty soon I'm going to lump him in with the other forum idiot on here! -

 

[PoliticalNick]

According to the newspaper article 15% of canadians receive OAS which means that the total paid out is more like $32 Billion paid out annually that as you say is going directly into the bank or being used for hobbies like travel or golf.

Please don't change the context of my post to suit your argument. I am sure there is a sizable percentage of those receiving OAS that actually do need or use it to make the difference between just existing and actually having some enjoyment in their lives. I do not begrudge it to those who really need it nor to those where it will make a significant difference. I do think we could put a lower cap on the income level where it stops though.