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The last couple of months have focused on the negative side of our futures so this month we will be upbeat and plan for our positive and happier futures.
 
I have written to the PM about the possibility of Mature Age Leave so that the over 50s can take unpaid leave to pursue some time out.
 
A trip around Australia working as you go (which would tee up with our Skills to the Bush project mentioned below in BONZA notes) or OS or to study further or just spending some quality time with grandkids or reminiscing.
 
Whatever you wish to do, it just allows you to take a year or two while you can enjoy it in good health and then return much fresher to your jobs which have been kept for you.
 
Your finances could be subsidized by access to 10% of your superannuation perhaps but you could work elsewhere in that time and only draw on super if necessary.
 
This idea will make a wonderful difference to the psyche of maturing Australians and reward them for years of work and taxes paid.
 
It also assists the Skills Shortage in the long term because we are retaining the Boomers in the workplace.
 
Over 50s need a focus and a sense of purpose and many are looking at retirement as they are tired of doing the same old thing day in, day out so options such as this should be considered.
 
The Mature Age Leave could be one component of a workplace Mature Age Policy for all employers for instance as well as shorter weeks and new mentoring roles.
 
If we could follow that up with Maturelink offices for them with all things mature age (50-65) in a one stop shop then we are preparing well for a gameplan for Ageing Australia (because we don’t have one) and it will be a positive one.
 
Have you thought about what you might do after retirement? We all have to retire and deserve some healthy and wealthy years enjoying our interests.
 
It really depends on where you are at on your timeline of life and what you can afford but if you are exercising, planning to keep working so you protect your assets and maintaining interests then you can have very positive mature age years.
 
BONZA has outlined the importance of seeing a financial planner, exercising daily and eating well so if you haven’t started then do yourself a favour and create a plan for you.
 
Some of the older Boomers (60-63) who have stopped work have already expressed their concern about the lack of information for the mature age.
 
Your local councils have list of all clubs (social, environmental, sports and hobby) so tap into those lists through your local member but seat down and plan the next five and maybe ten years.
 
Community support groups are an essential part of Ageing Australia so maybe support them.  Get involved as much as possible and feel wanted.
 
Rotary, for instance, do a great job mentoring the young and Meals on Wheels keep people alive with the basics of life. There are many more groups worthy of support.
 
The younger Boomers (45-60) should be still reinventing themselves as new careers are available and you still have time to accumulate some more wealth for your 10-20-30 years in retirement.
 
We only have on average $50 000 in superannuation and we need $20 000 to survive each year so do your math. The pension will give you a good chunk of the money needed but you will need a nest egg.
 
Finally, it is interesting to note that the Z generation count finishes this year (0-15) and are a fifth of the population. The next generation starting in 2010 is called Alpha.
 
Life churns on so make it a BONZA one!
 
NOTE: BONZA advocates for:

1. Mature Age Leave for over 50s so they can have some quality time out from their workplace and freshen up doing interest things.

2. Over 50s need a separate government office, Maturelink, to highlight the importance of Mature Age looking to Move Forward in life not plan for retirement only in our older years. This is even more essential now we have to work to 67.

3. A need for incentives from government for families to build granny flats for the aged care of family members at home. A family approach to an Ageing Australia in line with European and Asian cultures.

4. A need for Community Health Clinics that the aged can attend and not clog the hospital system just as we had some priority at birth due to our numbers.

5. A strong community based program for aged to take an interest in the local community through supporting schools, group exercising, supporting welfare groups and strong social clubs for the aged.

6. Government incentives to allow us to retain/build assets so that we can support ourselves more as we age.

7. Developments of the Uni of the Third Age so that minds are kept active through study and research.

8. Break Centrelink up into a smaller office. Aged Pension to Retirement Offices, Familes to Medicare (completely), Disabled to revamped CRS offices, Youth to Youthlink (could be in Centrelink with Maturelink so mentor roles are easier) and Newstart to Job Network who could also pay them when there is compliance with job seeking.

9. Skills for the Bush project. A database of jobs available in Regional Australia set up through Local Govt so that over 50s can work their way around Australia. This would fit in well with the Mature Age Leave concept.

10 A Mature Age Policy for every workplace so employers can offer loyal staff some incentive to keep going. They will need their skills as the skill shortage approaches.

11. A referendum to decide whether euthanasia should be part of Australian life.

Lots to do folks so let’s get on with it and have a BONZA LIFE!

Brian Murphy
Editor
BONZA