Social Services Legislation Amendment (Workforce Incentive) Bill 2022

Summary National Seniors Australia submitted a response to the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Workforce Incentive) Bill 2022. They support measures to suspend benefits and extend qualification for pensioner concession cards, but believe they will not significantly impact workforce participation among older Australians. The current income test and reporting requirements are seen as barriers to workforce participation for pensioners. Comparisons with New Zealand's simpler pension/work system show higher workforce participation rates for older individuals. Encouraging more pensioners to work could boost the economy and tax revenue. National Seniors Australia suggests exempting low-wealth pensioners from the income test to encourage workforce participation and eliminate pension poverty. They also support changes to income test arrangements for other payments to encourage greater workforce participation among recipients.