‘Increase the working age to 70’: South Africans clash over pension age
· The South African
A story on pensioner hardship published by The South African sparked a heated debate after a commenter suggested raising the retirement age to 70.
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Tracey Ahmad argued that pensioners shouldn’t receive government support at 60 if they are still physically and cognitively able to work, suggesting the retirement age be pushed to 70 instead so they continue contributing to the economy. The comment drew five replies as South Africans pushed back.
A lifetime of contribution for pensioners
Erick Mabuela disagreed, saying it’s painful that senior citizens who worked their whole lives now earn less in retirement. He argued grant payments should match a basic living wage, pointing out many pensioners paid tax throughout their working years.
The suggestion landed in the same thread where Gail Mills described going to bed hungry most nights on her current pension, adding weight to arguments that pensioners are already struggling, raising questions about whether pushing retirement to 70 would help or hurt.
South Africans remain split on whether the answer lies in raising the retirement age or increasing the grant amount itself.
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