Australia. More pensioners are taking up part-time work to avoid the threat of pension poverty

More pensioners than ever are having to work part-time just to get by according to new research, with nearly 5 per cent of people on the pension now doing paid work.

Key points:

  • New research shows that a growing number of pensioners are needing to work part-time
  • Women and divorcees are among those most affected
  • Seniors Australia says tax changes are needed to not penalise pensioners who work

Cost of living and inequality researcher Paul Blacklow, of the University of Tasmania, said women and divorcees were increasingly affected.

“Aged pensioners who are working were three times more likely to have been divorced than aged pensioners or other self-funded retirees,” Dr Blacklow told 7.30.

“The majority of women that were working as pensioners wanted to work less while only about 20 or 30 per cent of males who are working wanted to work less.”

Ian Henschke from National Seniors Australia said pensioners should be allowed to earn a lot more before they are penalised for working.

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