“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” So said Mark Twain in the 19th century and yet, in the 21st century, age matters. We mark milestones, such as mine reached today: age 65. Officially a senior.
Retirement used to be mandatory when we became seniors. Since 2006 (later in some provinces), most of us are no longer compelled to retire at any age. Despite this change, just six per cent of Canadians continue to work full-time after age 65; the average retirement age is 62.
“Today’s 65-year-old has the same mortality and health that 54-year-olds had in 1947. So 65 really is approximately the new 55. It’s not just a joke on a card,” suggests Stanford economist John Shoven. But if 65 is 55, why do baby boomers still want the perks that go along with becoming seniors?
TO AWARD DISCOUNTS OR NOT?
One of my four brothers (Rick) requests humorous posts, but I’m not very funny. Another (Tim) asks for controversial ones, so here goes: governments should take into account household income before awarding discounts to seniors. Just because we turn 65, I and 5.7 million other Canadians age 65+ should not automatically be eligible for the following:
- reduced fare on municipal transit — sorely requiring additional funds;
- lower admission to concerts, theatres, museums and other cultural organizations — always in dire financial straits;
- discounts at Community Centres, BC Ferries (50% off for travel M-Th for 65+) and Via Rail (10% for 60+);
- and home owner grants for property taxes. In BC the grant for seniors reduces taxes up to $845 per year or, in a northern or rural area, to $1,045.
We get rewards simply for reaching a milestone. Don’t get me wrong. I favour financial support for low income seniors. But a 2006 study of Canadian seniors between 1980 and 2003 reveals the percentage in low income declined from 34.1% to 15.1% when measured using the before-tax Low Income Cut-Offs (LICO) and from 21.3% to 6.8% when measured using the after-tax LICO. Interestingly, BC and Quebec are home to the highest percentages of low income seniors. In 2007 about 12,000 of Vancouver’s 77,000 seniors had before-tax income below LICO. Many thousands would not receive discounts if an eligibility limit was set, for example, by declaring only seniors with household incomes under $100,000 automatically benefit when turning 65.
I suggested to Glen I would not change my current transit card to a senior’s one but he rightly pointed out my proverbial drop in the ocean won’t make a difference. While discounts remain in place, I and others may as well take advantage. Yet, if we don’t ride public transit or embrace culture at adult rates, we won’t start now at reduced ones. To appease my conscience, I will help sustain culture through membership fees, frequent attendance and charitable donations.
GOOD BUSINESS
When it comes to businesses, however, I welcome my senior’s deals at grocery stores, The Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, Cineplex etc. And I endorse no fee accounts for seniors at major Canadian banks. Given the exchange rate on the Canadian dollar, claiming discounts in the US makes good cents. Seniors overrun Fry’s Food & Drug Stores for a 10% discount on the first Wednesday of each month.
For public services and cultural organizations, seniors’ discounts should be based on need. For commercial enterprises, discounts constitute good business. •
Glen Wickens says
I like the way you appease your conscience and eat your discount cake too. If you join any more arts’ organizations we will need more discounts!
Pam McPhail says
Very funny, Glen, but I still have in mind a few more organizations to join.😉👍 You’ll have to find the discounts!
Donna Golding says
Happy Birthday, Pam.
I don’t have an issue with discounts. I think all categories have been contributed to through the years of my purchases. If I happen to qualify for token compensation for the next twenty, I will not feel too guilty.
Pam McPhail says
It’s a token compensation for one but times millions the revenue gained by seniors continuing to pay their full way would be considerable.
Lorna Smith says
Are you speaking to Glen this morning !!!! Thank you for bringing to my attention all the discounts I can look forward to. My parents refused to take the benefits offered to them as Canadian seniors… i will likely follow in their path.. however
I will assess when the time comes.. its a very PERSONAL issue.
Cheery good morning Lorna
Pam McPhail says
Glen’s just writing in his usual ironic style, Lorna. I respond in kind. Interesting that your parents stood their ground on benefits. Admirable in fact. And I know they engaged in philanthropy too, at the West Van Library, for instance. You won’t know for almost a decade how to proceed, but no doubt you’ll take a good decision at the time. Cheers! Pam
Marie says
At first blush, your proposal seems like a good idea. But the coordinating of the various governments (federal and provincial) and government departments would probably create another level of bureaucracy that would wipe out any savings that might accrue.
Marie
Pam McPhail says
Determining household income for seniors could be accomplished through an existing level of bureaucracy: Canada Revenue Agency. We need only agree on the income threshold.
Donna Golding says
Are you proposing a means test for discounts? Canada Revenue seems hard pressed to garner outstanding monies owed by many individuals and corporations. I doubt that they would be open to a further addition to their workload.
Pam McPhail says
I don’t profess to have an efficient system to institute means tests but I believe it’s time in Canada to do so. Not just for seniors’ discounts but for medical care, subsidized daycare and so on. Seems to me the CRA has useful information. Would people “cheat” a system? Sure. But those who don’t would contribute to publicly funded programs and services they use in ways other than taxes.
Ian Wallace says
Discounts for seniors? I confess to being on the receiving end of this taxpayer-funded largesse and here are a few examples:
– Vancouver skating rinks, pools, gyms, etc. Low costs encourage me to take advantage of these facilities which I hope will enhance my general health and reduce my reliance on the semi-bankrupt BC health care system
– Public transit. Through property taxes I help pay for city roads and bridges, and yet I do not own a car. Low senior fares help get me onto the bus and that means one less polluting car on the road
– Museum discounts. Older folks are supposed to remain active and exercise their minds, so why not entice them into cultural centres by offering inexpensive entry costs?
– Property taxes. In BC the 55+ brigade can defer taxes until selling a principal residence. The government will still get its money, plus interest, while pressure on the senior’s immediate cash flow is reduced. This makes good sense to me.
Notes from the UK. Seniors can ride city buses free, anywhere in the country. No entry fee whatsoever is charged anyone at great cultural centres such as the British Museum and the National Gallery. The BBC TV set annual fee is waived for older folks. Finally, a hot debate is currently being waged over whether to charge estates of the deceased for health care costs incurred during the final years when, presumably, these are quite high.
Across the Channel. Yesterday, when buying a train ticket, it was suggested by a French rail employee that because I appeared to be an elderly person (merci beaucoup!) I would be sold a discounted senior fare. Well why not? In my enfeebled state it is hard for me to carry heavy bags and to move up and down stairways. So, to my view, the friendly French rail folk are doing the right thing by granting me a lower fare!
Pam – please keep the “controversial” posts coming!
Pam McPhail says
I should clarify “business as usual” in my title. Our rituals don’t change the year we turn 65. You used rinks, pools and gyms when you paid full cost because you’ve always paid attention to your general health. You visited museums and galleries your entire life, not when a 10% discount enticed you to exercise your mind. And I’m pretty sure you chose to forgo a car when you were still under the seniors’ age threshold. Apart from businesses, seniors’ discounts don’t gain new users; they simply reward current ones for reaching a milestone.
For enticement, your same examples should focus on young people in an effort to instill in them a love of fitness and cultural activities. Expand student discounts to include anyone under 30. A higher percentage of “millennials” demonstrates financial need than do seniors.
Ian – please keep your thoughtful comments coming!
Tim McPhail says
I told you Pam that a controversial topic would stir up comments. I’ve noticed you’re pretty much alone in your controversial position. Good for you ! Keep it up sister !
The seniors’ discount has been around for many years. In order to balance the budget (public enterprise) or make a profit (private enterprise), the money discounted to seniors and children is covered by higher fees for regular patrons. My conscience is clear because I was basically overpaying a little from age 18 to age 65 and now my money is slowly being returned to me. I should be about even if I’m still going to museums and theaters at age 85 or so.
Tim
Pam McPhail says
It’s about affordability. Seniors who can afford to continue “overpaying” to public organizations that need funds should do so.