Calls for different pension age for manual workers

Australia lifted its pension age to 67 in 2023, but some manual labourers say they are physically unable to keep working until retirement and are struggling to survive on unemployment benefits.

Published: 28 June 2025
  • national
  • 28 June 2025
  • ABC News

As life expectancy has increased, many Western governments have increased the age their citizens can access the aged pension.

Advocates for older Australians say government-funded career-transition programs should be available — with a progression to higher JobSeeker payments — to reflect current cost-of-living pressures, especially for those who rent.