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Too many problems raising OAS eligibility

As an adult educator, I am surprised that there has been little or no discussion of cognitive and physical decline of adults

As an adult educator, I am surprised that there has been little or no discussion of cognitive and physical decline of adults due to normal, healthy aging and the impact of raising the age of old age security eligibility.

For example, do we really want high school teachers to teach until age 67 — especially when there are growing numbers of unemployed younger teachers?

Do we want 67-year-old propane truck or bus drivers on the road when they have declining coordination and reaction times? Occupations such as mining or nursing — or a host of other occupations that involve physical strength — surely should not require employees to work two additional years before receiving OAS.

Cognitive and physical decline with aging is a reality. Research has shown that the decline is gradual, but inevitable.

What evidence exists that the federal government has taken such research into consideration as they increase the age of eligibility?

Finally, by 2030, when the baby boom bulge has passed, the percentage of GDP expended by the existing pension schemes will decline — a demographic fact the Tories somehow ignore. I guess it gets in the way of their current promotion of an expensive, corporate private model rather than a more cost-efficient expanded CPP model.

Some of us may choose to continue working full or part time, but surely one should have a choice to retire at an age when one still has one’s health and not be penalized for retiring before the Tory-imposed age of 67.

No wonder the Tories did not raise the issue during the last federal election.

Ron Faris

Victoria