Rhian,
I'd be quite happy to keep on working but I can't do my present work much longer as it is too physical & too much travel. Offer me an office job in a small country town & I'll take it. If you think you're physically better than me than why don't you apply for a physically demanding position where you to can wear out your back, knees etc.

'Ah the old “lump of labour” fallacy.'
Interestingly, virtually the same result can be achieved by simply increasing the Pension/newstart allowance (more money to lower earners = more money spent rather than hoarded).
I do agree that no one should be forced to stop work -apart from H&S concerns; employing 80 year old security guards probably isn't clever.
Hasbeen, good points. In fact, I reckon the entry age for the bureaucracy should be 55.
anyone younger than that who is still hale and hearty should bloody well get out and get a real job.

Some years ago, my wife and I relocated to Queensland following our grandchildren (and their parents). Full time permanent work was impossible to find without relocating so far away from the grandchildren as to make the move pointless. I discovered that employers will not hire someone older than them who may have more experience and tell them how to do things: young employees are OK as they can be 'moulded' to suit the employer. Older employees, on the other hand I sensed, as seen as being more resistant to moulding.
After a few desperate years surviving, and only just, as a casual employee in my industry, I had a major health crisis as a result of which I lost most of my sense of balance. I am unable to stand for extended periods without developing excruciating headaches. I satisfied requirements for the award of a disability support pension shortly after turning 60. Suddenly, financial stability again without drawing down scarce reserves!
I now work casually but to a limited extent: two days in a row and I decline work for the third.
To me the Disability Support Pension was, literally, a life-saver as I had become so depressed that if there had been a way to remove myself from society without stuffing up someone else’s life, I would have taken it.
The devils in this story are the governments and other employers who will NOT recognise experience, specifically experience outside Queensland, and who feel threatened by someone who is older than them, is more qualified than them, or who has more experience than them.
To me, the DSP was a lifeline: without it I would not have made to the age pension. I will fight to the last breath in my body to maintain access to the DSP for older workers who are unable to maintain employment and who have a major health crisis as a result.

Wouldnt it be reassuring if those implementing policies, had the knowledge and experience of those who posted before me. Not 'learned it in a book'
Kevin Andrews, encouraged by young Cassie McGannon proposed the review of aged pension. Through their investigations, they clearly discovered wealthy abusing the system. Deal with accordingly. McGannons suggestion that 'some possessed valuable assets.'Assets gained through a life time of 'genuine' hard work . Bricks cant be eaten or pay bills. Be human.
And the larger majority found to be genuine recipients.
Today it is announced that the Aged Pensioners are safe from review. What a turn around. Were your findings of fraudulence, fraudulent? Did the wealthy Aged suddenly get unwealthy, is it too much of a bother? Or were the investigations actually guestimations?

...The beauty of old age is that it comes with a multi-skilled background, (or at the least it should, for those that worked for the full extent of their working life)!
This is the advantage which needs to be exploited. To do this effectively, requires innovation and some current IT knowledge. The modern-day imperative is a sales ability. People will generally not buy you or your product unless it is wrapped and well presented; that includes selling your ability to do the job applied for!

...To use myself as an example,I have an extensive background in building which (in old age), I have picked a component of it to exploit; fencing. A new fence is applied for, and sold, in that order! Never have I succeeded in a new contract without the laptop and a presentation of fencing facts, which includes styles, types and materials: A demonstrated comparison of prices, and finally(also to be sold), why I am the best person for the job.

...The chances of employment for aged workers BY others, is of course limited, and in my experience has always been that way: That fact seems not to be recognised by the above posters; us old folk are in the New-Age of the “contract workforce”; even the young struggle with this fact!

...Another fact overlooked, is availability of work in the rural areas of Australia. If you want a job in the bush, you had better be good! That is another cemented-in fact which is often learned the hard way by folk emigrating from the city. Life in the bush is hard, poorly rewarded and work is scarce; an historical fact which is as true for today as it ever was.

I have lobbied government for many years through the web site BONZA and letters to PM's for a separate MATURELINK office that handles all things for over 50's but to no avail.

Such an office would be run by Boomers and focus on educating all players- job seekers, government, employers and community about the importance of over 50s not planning for retirement but for social and economic participation by reinventing themselves.

If we market ourselves as a group I really think we can turn around the 'too old mentality' that is plaguing all those players including my fellow Boomers in many cases.

Would love and welcome your support Susan but you know that because I approached you as well with no assistance offered.