Seniors need to know about changes to the Old Age Security plan and start planning to save, says a spokesman for CARP.
The national non-profit organization held a community event Tuesday to discuss the proposed changes to Old Age Security. The Conservative government wants to change when retirees can collect their pension by increasing the age from 65 to 67.
Rick Oldale, advocacy chair for CARP Chapter 23, said the hope to inform seniors about the changes to the OAS and let them know to prepare now for their retirement.
“The changes concern all seniors in the financial end of it,” Oldale said. “There’s a situation where a lot of people have to plan for retirement and prior to the last federal announcement that it was going to affect people. They have to plan ahead for their retirement.”
MP John Rafferty (NDP, Thunder Bay – Rainy River) spoke at the event and said he wanted answer questions anyone may have on the changes to OAS.
“I can tell them the lay of the land and what the conservatives are up to and certainly give my thoughts on moving OAS from 65 to 67,” Rafferty said. “What happens when you move OAS is it creates hardships for those for example who are unable to work. Perhaps they have a disability or other obligations. Those are the people who are going to suffer.”
Rafferty said he also wanted to give people an update on his private member’s bill to amend the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
He also added that NDP leader Tom Mulcair may have a shadow cabinet picked this week.
