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Interview with BONZA editor Brian Murphy
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Are you researching the Boomers? Check out: Are you looking for a good laugh? Check out: Are you looking for work? Check out: What was it like to be a Boomer? The editor has written some stories about his life as a Boomer. Hover over ABOUT THE EDITOR above for access. ________________________________________________________________ A book for all Baby Boomers I recommend the following book ... The Rest of Your Life How to Make it as Good as You Want ... to all Baby Boomers. It will be a real asset for all those who are planning responsibly for the future. Compiled by Paul McKeon for people in their 40s, 50s & 60s who want to really enjoy the second half of their lives. Please access the link below to order your E-book copy. www.mylifechange.com.au/the-rest-of-your-life/bonza.php ________________________________________________________________ BOOMER MUSIC Our favourite group of all times and their music will be played in centuries to come- THE BEATLES Paul McCartney’s new release Kisses On The Bottom is available. Also now you can watch the official EPK for the album in its entirety at the link below. The interview features Paul and Award-winning producer Tommy LiPuma chat about the process of recording KOTB. Please share the new full Kisses On The Bottom EPK with your readers at Bonza. Kisses On The Bottom Full EPK Link: http://youtu.be/J2j_Aw2SJBQ Stream KOTB on AOL Music: http://music.aol.com/new-releases-full-cds/spinner#/1 Stream KOTB on MSN Music: http://music.msn.com/music/listeningbooth/ Buy Kisses On The Bottom: http://www.amazon.com/Kisses-Bottom-Paul-McCartney/dp/B006OAB3ME/?tag=concordreco0c-20 Buy Kisses On The Bottom (Deluxe): http://www.amazon.com/Kisses-Bottom-Paul-McCartney/dp/B006RVDX00/?tag=concordreco0c-20 ‘Kisses On The Bottom’ assets: http://www.42west.biz/PMCARTNEY/assets.zip Official website: http://www.paulmccartney.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/PaulMcCartney Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PaulMcCartney ________________________________________________________________ Boomer Book I recently published my second book called “Once I was a Teenager”. It’s about how life was in the 50s and 60s in Australia. It’s a nostalgic book about how life was then. Such as our mother’s pithy sayings...”no nice man will marry you if (you eat with your mouth open)”, or “wait ‘til your father get’s home”, or “wear a clean pair of knickers when you go out. What if you are in a car accident!” We are offspring of parents of WW2, and we have their values which puzzle our offspring. This is a really funny book with a foreword by Little Pattie (who remembers that Aussie 60s teen singing sensation, who is still performing today?) Often our children don’t ask how life was for us. Well, you will chuckle and reminisce with this book. Guaranteed. Little Pattie loves it. I give proceeds to an orphan charity, but would love to be in contact with you guys. Jonquil Graham You can contact me at jonquil.graham@gmail.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Paul McCartney is getting back ‘Out There’ First live show of 2014 announced! Monday 21st April – Santiago, Chile – Movistar Arena More dates to be announced imminently... Following an incredible 2013 which saw Paul’s critically acclaimed ‘Out There’ tour launch in Brazil and visit 23 cities across South America, Europe, North America and Japan, today Paul confirms he’ll be getting back out there by announcing his first concert of the year. Paul will be heading back to Chile in April for the first time since his historic performance on his ‘Up & Coming Tour’ in 2011. The 'Out There' tour features music from one of the best loved catalogues in popular music. Paul will perform songs that span his entire career - as a solo artist, member of Wings and of course as a Beatle. The set list will also include material from Paul’s most recent studio album NEW, which was a global hit upon its release last year. The McCartney live experience is a once in a lifetime opportunity; in just three hours some of the greatest moments from the last 50 years of music are relived; music which for many has shaped the very soundtrack of their lives. The last decade has seen Paul and his band perform in a staggeringly impressive range of venues and locations, including outside the Coliseum in Rome, in Moscow’s Red Square, Buckingham Palace, at the White House, a free show in Mexico to over 400,000 people and even into Space! Having played with his band (Paul ‘Wix’ Wickens (keyboards), Brian Ray (bass guitar/guitar), Rusty Anderson (guitar) and Abe Laboriel Jr. (drums)) for over ten years now, the show never disappoints. The tour also uses state of the art technology and production to ensure the entire audience has the best possible experience. With massive screens, lasers, fireworks, unique video content and the best songs in the world a Paul McCartney show is so much more than just an ordinary concert. Paul’s shows attract a multi generational audience from different backgrounds all brought together by his music. 2014 got off to an incredible start for Paul as he set a personal career best by winning an incredible five GRAMMY Awards in one night. In the UK he was honoured by music bible NME with a special one off award, the ‘Songwriter’s Songwriter Award’ chosen for this unique accolade by his fellow peers. Keep checking PaulMcCartney.com for further announcements. __________________________________________________ New health book just for over 50s Research shows that Health and Finances are two of the biggest issues for people who are planning or experiencing retirement. While there are hundreds of books about health on the market, there are very few that focus on the health issues that affect the lives of older people. A new book titled “How to stay Healthy, Active and Sharp in Retirement” is designed to correct this omission. It’s written by 15 leading health experts and it covers all the major physical and mental issues that people over 50 need to manage Here’s a list of the subjects covered CHAPTERS
11. Living beyond expectations ( Petrea King. Quest For Life Foundation ) 12. Relationships and Sex (Sandra Kimball . Relationship Counsellor & author) 13. Keeping your immune system healthy (Prof. Fabienne Mackay Monash University) 14. How to reduce your risk of getting dementia (Dr. Simone Reppermund -UNSW Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing) 15. Dental health (Prof Peter Barnard.) 16. Your attitude keeps you young (or makes you old) (Paul McKeon) This is not a book about sickness. The overriding message is that it’s possible to delay the ageing process and enjoy a better quality of life in our later years. It’s full of positive suggestions about how we can be happier and healthier if we follow the expert advice offered in the book. The book is only available on line. You can find out more or buy a copy by clicking on this link http://www.mylifechange.com.au/stay-healthy-active-and-sharp-in-retirement For comment or more information, please contact the Editor Paul McKeon on 02 6652 7581 ________________________________________________________________ Self Employment Award winning author Diana Todd-Banks has a program for those interested in self employment. Please go to the Notice Board page to read her full email and ideas. "Just a thought: on your BONZA site would it be feasible to create a section for those who are wanting to work (with their skills)? Then promote that section to the outside world. If any of that interests you and you need help let me know, I'll help you. Cheers and keep up the great work." Diana Todd-Banks Award Winning Best Selling Author Life Change Coach * Web TV Host * Speaker cell: (61) 407 187 008 skype: ditodd-banks email: diana@dianatoddbanks.com www.dianatoddbanks.com ________________________________________________________________ Media Release- 17/6/2014 Is the 70 retirement really about Boomers? The labor government decided that retirement would be 67 in 2023 because of the numbers of Boomers that would require government assistance by then in the key areas of health, aged care and pensions. I had no argument with that decision at the time as only a small percentage of Boomers will have enough superannuation to be able to be self-sustainable so working them for longer will add some personal wealth to their financial portfolio and offset some government costs. As a student of the Intergenerational reports of 2002, 2007 and 2010 I understand the intent behind that decision. Then came the LNP version this year of retirement at 70 by 2035 and once again I thought I understood why but on further examination I am no so sure now. All the current Boomers will be over 70 by 2035 as the youngest of them are 50 this year (and the older ones 68) so this decision is more for the X generationers ( 35 to 49) and even the Y ‘s ( 20 to 34) so do we really need to do it? I think not. If the Boomers are already retired then the 70 limit will only penalise the younger generations who will already have good superannuation to live on by that year (if the industry stays true) so they wont be the burden we will be on government coffers. Surely a better route to take would be to increase employer and employee contributions to achieve the 17-18% superannuation contribution level recommended by economists (only 9% now) that will be needed for us to sustain our old age by that time and therefore leave retirement at 67. The government could also legislate to stop any creative accounting by the younger generations so that they were still eligible for pension at 67 even with their generous accumulated superannuation so that the pension is a safety net only at that stage for those who have little or no wealth due to circumstances beyond their control- illness, accident or disability. Finally, readers of my web site www.bonza.com.au are adamant they want a referendum for euthanasia soon as possible so we can have more control over our future and not linger on bed ridden in our old age. That would also reduce costs for government substantially as my doctor tells me that more is spent on us in our final year of life than on all the previous years of our lifetime health care. Brian Murphy Editor BONZA __________________________________________________ Boomer Innovation- New Ideas to Assist Boomers I'm writing to let you know that TACSI and The Office for the Ageing (SA) are running Australia's first challenge for ageing, the Innovation in Ageing Challenge. We've got $140k of grants and mentoring on offer for people with ideas to re-imagine the way we age. All the details are available on our website ageingchallenge.org.au. We’re looking for all kinds of people from budding social innovators, entrepreneurs within NGO’s to elderpreneurs. This is a great opportunity for teams passionate about social change to get the support and funding to get their idea off the ground. Kerry Jones Program Manager Ageing and Caring THE AUSTRALIAN CENTRE FOR SOCIAL INNOVATION Level 1, 279 Flinders Street, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia +61 8 7325 4994 | 0404 475 057 | tacsi.org.au __________________________________________________ Superannuation- Alarm Bells are Ringing I have some real concerns about the future of superannuation for Boomers on hearing this story. Did some work for a lady and she filled me in on the hassles of superannuation. She is 72 and her partner died last year and left her his superannuation in his will. The company REST (hospitality superannuation) will not pay her anything as per Trustee decision and wont say why. She is leaving to live in Portugal. Seems such a shame but I was blown away when she said her partner's will was not enough to get the money paid. If not claimed the money goes to the government in three years. She reckons it is another revenue grab from them. I have asked some experts to comment. Brian Murphy August 2014 Noel Whittaker is a financial expert and adviser. Here is his answer to the problem- As the baby boomers retire there is a growing awareness of the importance of having a will. That’s a great start, but the sad reality is that family situations can change, and challenges to wills have become common place. Unfortunately, the outcome of any litigation is always uncertain. This is why it is often appropriate to hold assets in such a way that they fall outside the scope of the will and are thus generally secure from litigation. These include assets such as property and shares held as joint tenants, and retirement income stream products like allocated pensions and annuities when there is a reversionary beneficiary. Insurance bonds are also excluded from the will as the proceeds vest in the nominated beneficiary on the death of the bond owner. Superannuation is another asset that does not necessarily flow in terms of the will. The trustee of the fund has the final say as to who gets the proceeds, unless there is a current binding nomination requiring the trustee to pay the proceeds in the manner specified in the nomination document. The situation where assets are held as joint tenants is the most common, but in this context the term "tenants" doesn't have a thing to do with landlord and tenant, - it refers to ownership of assets such as property and shares. If you buy a house in partnership with another, usually your spouse, you normally have the ownership registered as "joint tenants". This means that, if either party dies, the co-owner, irrespective of the terms of the will, then owns the entire property. However, if the property is held as "tenants in common" the share of the deceased is transferred in terms of the will of the deceased. Which one do you choose? It depends on who you want to receive the asset if you die first. Usually couples buy the family home as joint tenants to give each other the security of knowing that it can't be bequeathed to a third party if there are family arguments and the will is challenged. There are three situations that occur regularly where it is probably best to hold an asset as "tenants in common". The first is where you are buying a property in partnership with one or more friends. In most cases you would both expect your share to go to your family if you died, not the friend. The second is when you, and other family members, are left property through your parent's will. This is similar to buying property with a friend. Almost certainly you would want your share of the estate to go to your own estate if you died, not to your siblings. Last is when re-marriage occurs. Both parties may have children from a previous marriage, and usually prefer to keep their assets separate so they can be willed to their children from that previous marriage. If the house was held as joint tenants it would go straight to the co-owner and the children may miss out. Some wills give the spouse a life interest, which leaves the family home to the children but allows the spouse to live in the family home for life. The purpose is prevent the children of the deceased being disinherited if the spouse remarries, and ensures that the spouse can never be forced to vacate the property. This strategy should not used without a full understanding of the ramifications involved as there can be social security and capital gains tax issues. Sadly, life interests tend to produce undesirable outcomes. They condemn the spouse to living out their declining years in a home that usually becomes unsuitable as they grow older and it prevents them from selling the property and moving to another. There can be arguments between the spouse and the children about who should pay the maintenance and problems finding money to pay medical expenses. In an extreme case the spouse could move to a nursing home and find themselves destitute as an unhelpful family now own what was the matrimonial home. Regards, Noel Whittaker AM EdNote: Bottom line- check out superannuation nomination on Google and you may need to fill one in for your company ___________________________________________________ If You Lose Your Job, Remember This August 2014 The best memory I have of my dad from when I was growing up happened when I was about 7 years old. At the time he was looking for work in Washington state, and he, my mom, my little brother, and I were all living in a tent. My dad knew I likedAirwolf, a 1980’s TV show about a hi-tech helicopter used to fight criminals. For my birthday he made me a replica Airwolf carved of wood from a tree near our tent. This is also one of the only memories I have of my dad when I was a kid. The High Point When I was 10 my dad got a job working for a conveyor belt manufacturer as a welder and maintenance man. He worked hard and made the most of his opportunity, and rose through the company pretty rapidly. By the time I was a teenager he was traveling throughout the world, and had his picture taken on a camel in front of the Great Pyramids. He spent extended periods of time working in Chile and Germany, and had friends on almost every continent. Those years were the high point of my Dad’s life, to him. I don’t blame him—feeling important is a powerful drug. During these years the name "Dave McKissen" meant something to people who were not in our family. However, these were not good years for our relationship, and I barely saw him. But they were the best years for our family, financially. Then he lost his job during my senior year of high school, right before I turned 18. The Low Point My dad hasn’t had regular, consistent employment for the past 15 years. It’s not because of any larger economic issues, and it’s not because of a lack of talent. My dad’s hands and brain are connected in a way that mine aren’t. Though he lacks a degree, he is the most talented engineer I’ve ever seen. A treehouse that is born in his mind ends up in my yard in the time it would take me to find a hammer. I see the same talent in my son, and I am literally in awe of the two of them. My dad is also good at more than just building things—he is a good guy, with a good heart, and people love him. I love him. He is a great Grandpa. But when he lost his job, he lost part of himself. When you feel like you’ve lost a part of yourself the search to find that missing piece can take you to some very dark places. It did for my dad, and much of the last 15 years have been hard on him, and the people that care about him. Remember That You're Still Here After a recent article I received a few emails from people who had lost their job, and a couple of emails from people who are facing an impending job loss. I don’t have good advice on what to do about a stint of unemployment on a resume. What I can say is that if you lose your job, don’t lose yourself. You’re still here, even if your job isn't. The best parts of you, the parts that will be remembered, usually have nothing to do with your job. You should give your job your best, but don’t make the best part of you your job. You also may have to realize that you may never reach your prior peak. It’s hard to imagine the circumstances that placed my dad on a camel in front of the Great Pyramids occurring again. But just because that time has come and gone doesn't mean you have come and gone. As for my dad, things are finally getting better. We work at filling in the missing memories by going to a bar near my house and having a beer, or by playing horseshoes in our neighbor's yard. Last year we took a road trip together to Philadelphia, Mississippi in my Smart Car. He has a standing gig to serve as the local Catholic school’s jack-of-all-trades and handyman when they have the funds in their budget. It’s a job that’s just a few blocks from our house, and last year he painted the auditorium. The walls in that auditorium won’t last as long as the Great Pyramids, but they will be there for a few years, and his grandkids know that "Dave McKissen" painted them. Dustin McKissen is the Vice President of First Resource, an association management, economic development, and consulting firm with roots in the manufacturing sector. He is also a proud member of LinkedIn's Publishers and Bloggers Group. You can find him on Twitter @DMcKissen. ___________________________________________________ Good Story from FaceBook- bit harsh but some truths in there- Ed Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the much older lady that she should bring her own grocery bags, because plastic bags are not good for the environment. The woman apologized to the young girl and explained, "We didn't have this 'green thing' back in my earlier days." The young clerk responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations." The older lady said that she was right -- our generation didn't have the "green thing" in its day. The older lady went on to explain: Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled. But we didn't have the "green thing" back in our day. Grocery stores bagged our groceries in brown paper bags that we reused for numerous things. Most memorable besides household garbage bags was the use of brown paper bags as book covers for our school books. This was to ensure that public property (the books provided for our use by the school) was not defaced by our scribblings. Then we were able to personalize our books on the brown paper bags. But, too bad we didn't do the "green thing" back then. We walked up stairs because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks. But she was right. We didn't have the "green thing" in our day. Back then we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throw away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up 220volts. Wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that young lady is right; we didn't have the "greenthing" back in our day. Back then we had one TV, or radio, in the house -- not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief(remember them?), not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap. Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. But she's right; we didn't have the "green thing" back then. We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blade in arazor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But we didn't have the "green thing" back then. Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service in the family's $45,000 SUV or van, which cost what a whole house did before the"green thing." We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 23,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest burger joint. But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn't have the "green thing" back then? We don't like being old in the first place, so it doesn't take much to really p... us off... especially from a tattooed, multiple pierced smart-ass who can't make change without the cash register telling them how much. ___________________________________________________ Have Some Fun- Using Your Brain Brain Study: If you can read this OUT LOUD you have a strong mind. And better than that: Alzheimer's is a long, long, ways down the road before it ever gets anywhere near you. Only very good minds can read this. This is weird, but interesting! 7H15 M3554G3 53RV35 7O PR0V3 H0W 0UR M1ND5 C4N D0 4M4Z1NG 7H1NG5! 1MPR3551V3 7H1NG5! 1N 7H3 B3G1NN1NG 17 WA5 H4RD BU7 N0W, 0N 7H15 LIN3 Y0UR M1ND 1S R34D1NG 17 4U70M471C4LLY W17H 0U7 3V3N 7H1NK1NG 4B0U7 17, B3 PROUD! 0NLY C3R741N P30PL3 C4N R3AD 7H15. PL3453 F0RW4RD 1F U C4N R34D 7H15. If you can read this, you have a strange mind, too. Only 55 people out of 100 can. I cdnuolt blveiee that I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd what I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in what oerdr the ltteres in a word are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is that the frsit and last ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can still raed it whotuit a pboerlm. This is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the word as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? Yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! This is a TEST ----------------Good Luck!!! We can all use some brain exercise!! How old are your eyes? The Eye Test Can you find the B's (there are 2 B's) DON'T skip, or your wish won't come True... RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR RRRRRRRRRRRBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR RRRRRRRRRRBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR Once you've found the B's Find the 1 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII1III IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Once you found the 1............…;. Find the 6 9999999999999999999999999999999999 9999999999999999999999999999999999 9999999999999999999999999999999999 9999999999999999999999999999999999 9999999999999999999999999999999999 9999999999999999999999999999999999 9999699999999999999999999999999999 9999999999999999999999999999999999 9999999999999999999999999999999999 9999999999999999999999999999999999 9999999999999999999999999999999999 9999999999999999999999999999999999 Once you've found the 6…; Find the N (it's hard!!) MMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMNMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMM Once you've found the N…; Find the Q.. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOQOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO |
What is BONZA? BONZA is an information site for Baby Boomers. We want all Boomers to plan for their future and support each other. More than two thousand Australian Boomers retire each week now (around 130 000 per year) so welcome to Ageing Australia. What can we do for ourselves if we are a Boomer? This site will give you the information you need to change your life. _____________________________________________ Make My Day ..... Editor's Opinion The truth about over population- don't panic- Hans Rosling In a world where many people worry about whether or not over population could wipe us out this presentation by Swede Hans Rosling is truly refreshing. Have a look and form your own opinion. Watch it here: The BONZA Report- A Report on the Future of Australian Babyboomers After 17 years of listening to Boomers, talking to employers, government and community BONZA takes pride in presenting the first BONZA Report. It is a collective view and you may or may not agree with it all but it is the thoughts and ideas of "my generation". We hope it makes a difference to our lives by sowing some seeds of change. It has been sent to all Federal Government Departments and political parties for their perusal and use in planning for the future for my generation. LINK (Download the report here) The BONZA Report- 2014 __________________________________________________ The Premier of Qld Campbell Newman sent a letter re: BONZA Report. We thank the Premier for taking the time to read the report and make suggestions. We hope he will also encourage his government to make changes based on the suggestions made. The letter has be forwarded to the federal government with a request for some feedback as he suggested most changes would be funded by them. BONZA is apolitical but we are prepared to admit that the Qld Premier has done enough to be re-elected on the 31 Jan 2015. It would be a risk to vote Labor on this occasion as they are not ready to govern. _________________________________ Who are Baby Boomers? Founded in 2001 BONZA is all about Baby Boomers who are aged 50 to 68 (born between 1946 - 1964) with over 5 million in Australia (ABS) and 1 million in New Zealand. (Between 1998-2001 I had the pleasure of working all over NZ and assisted hundreds of KIWI Boomers find employment through my company Grey Skills) We have always been aware of our generation and our uniqueness in that we are a constant worry for our governments due to our numbers and the predicted cost of our ageing process to them. I don't want to be a burden- do you? Let's prepare ourselves so that does not happen if we can prevent it. In 2011, the first of the Boomers became eligible for aged pensions and the numbers doubled from the previous year. In the next couple of decades aged care becomes the focus. Families and individuals will be encouraged to have ageing Boomers stay in their own homes and be cared for as they age because we cant build enough aged care homes to cope with the high numbers. Increased health problems will also dominate the annual budgets every year for the next 40 years and the security of single aged females will be another challenge to solve. We are living longer so governments are encouraging us to work longer, stay healthier and invest our money wisely by planning for our futures. I was asked by a Boomer why we are different than say Y generationers as they will have heavy numbers. The answer is purely lack of superannuation to look after ourselves in retirement. We need about $30 000 a year for 20 odd years of retirement and the pension is only $18 000 and we have an average of $60 000 now. The Y generation will have hundreds of thousands of dollars on retirement if they work all their lives. Hope that makes sense. _________________________________________________ Who Am I? I am the founder of BONZA and I have been working with mature age for 17 years as a case manager and advise so I have talked and listened to thousands of them. I am currently unemployed and living off savings. I have recently talked to the Financial Services officer at Centrelink (a free service that can give you a one to one to discuss the best options to take with your superannuation or you can attend a free seminar) and we have decided to take a pension option which is a fortnightly payment from my superannuation with a top up from the government pension. The superannuation company works out the figures as part of the service to you. They have also (Australian Super in my case as they have no fees so roll over to them if you can) worked out what I can take out and live a modest life which will last until I am 100 or a comfortable life option which means my super would run out at 78. I was really disappointed when I resigned from my job last year that I could not find suitable work as I always thought I could. I do a little security work but would love to be involved in training. I am fully aware now and I was so certain I would work to 70 that employers are not interested in mature age in general so jobs a few and far between. The skill shortage is still not here and may never come unless we count the Y generationers who are not being given skills. It is ridiculous therefore to talk about pension age at 70 in 2035 as there will be thousands more unemployed or living off their superannuation before time. The age increase is purely to keep the government pension away from mature age. Use your own money is the thinking and we will see how much you have at 70 should be the policy name. Further, every employer now with more than 10 staff needs a Mature Age Policy which reflects the value of Over 50s to their workplace and Maturelink is just focusing on mature age and their needs. We all know we have to work longer- 67 by 2023 and now 70 in 2035- as the cost of age pension reaches astronomical heights for government but we need the opportunity to save super and that wont happen without work.. In reality, the game of looking for work is open but best results for my age group will be in self employment, driving taxis or courier trucks, call centres, traffic controllers, community services, government roles and the continued quest of finding mature age friendly employers. It is also time for employers to put "we are mature age friendly" on their advertisements for future employees. We need to know that we are a chance when we apply so we are not wasting anyone's time. That does not mean only mature age should apply, it means that the hundreds of time wasting applications will stop for those of us who are looking for work unless we know employer's respect our skills. Employment ads are the 'hope industry' for unemployed mature age and you put so much time and effort into applications for positions that will never even consider you if there is a hint of employment longevity in the application. One thing I am sure of is that governments are kidding when they talk about us working until 70. Anyone who is over 60 and is still working then keep your job as they are very scarce. Those who are looking are going to be extremely lucky to find one if as I said earlier you cant't create one for yourself. A current $ 10 000 government incentive to hire mature age has been taken up by 60 employers and the government was hoping for 30 000. I believe the over 60s should get the money if they can develop a business to employ others. I have managed to re-invent myself as a Security Officer. I completed a Certificate 2 in Security and updated my First Aid certificate as well. Obtaining new certificates is not for every Boomer but you have to keep up with the demands of current employers and security work is not all crowd control. There are government officers, retail, goods yards as an example or even watching over residential estates. I have a Bachelor Degree, 2 Diplomas, 2 Cert IV's and now one Cert 2. Isn't that typical Boomer being somewhat over-skilled to be unemployed but we have to take our age into consideration and not expect doors to open. We have to re-invent what we are offering and knock on doors. The majority of Over 60's may have to do volunteer work for dole money as you can now. 15 hours a week and you have met your Centrelink Activity Agreement and you will not have to look for jobs or just have all over 60s working in the community somewhere. That is the only system in my opinion that is going to work for 60-70 age group now and in the future. Forget about job hunting, the government should just accept it wont happen for the majority and put in an Over 60 Community Program where we go straight into that scheme whether we apply for the dole or not. It is demeaning and very stressful to be constantly rejected when looking for work during those years and it is not good enough that younger generations are sitting on committees or at meetings making plans for us. You have no idea what it's like unless you are out here looking. BTW, I am still looking and as a trainer and change agent as well and I would like to work with your mature age workers or any age actually to motivate them to plan for life in a holistic way- wealth, health and fitness but also understand why it is important to start at an early working age. I really wanted to motivate you to social and/or economic participation but unless a benefactor comes to the party and supports my efforts then the best I can do is this site at this stage. Who knows what the future holds and Murphy was an Optimist so you never know. Corporate, mining, government and large companies can also contact me for a quote on "Moving Your Staff Forward" which is a PowerPoint package developed by me over many years and it works as I have assisted thousands to change their lives. They will be more content and motivated to work once I explain Ageing Australia to them in a simplistic and practical way. They deserve that after years of loyalty to their work don't you think. Finally, may I say that this site just happened. I do not see myself as any more than an ordinary Boomer born in the middle of an outstanding birth driven era that was fed by a secure and prosperous after war world. My upbringing, education, working life, friends and daily life was typical of that era and my parenting years, marriages, mates and experiences were also typical of any Boomer. My only legacy if any would be that I was able to assist my fellow Boomers by feeding them relevant information through this web site at a time of our lives when we became vulnerable. My family stories ( under About the Editor on home page) are hopefully much like all Boomer's stories in that we had little before we were influenced by the enlightened sixties to change the world and we did. Finally for those who are thinking why so glum then you are a supreme optimist or rich as life will be a battle for us all in the coming decades so stick together and support each other. Regards Brian Murphy _________________________________________________ Boomer Health Flick Saw a great film; Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. Worth a view if you are overweight and/or unhealthy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XDSpuMIMPs&feature=c4-overview&list=UUIENxHEZig28X1ylyE8VWXQ Also a good overview: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-11465/5-powerful-reasons-to-eat-a-plant-based-diet-a-cardiologist-explains.html __________________________________________________ Boomerang Centres Why not turn clubs that are struggling into neighbourhood hubs for Boomers. My mate Keith Blake did it at Ithacca Bowls Club next door to the Brisbane Broncos in Fulcher Rd Red Hill Brisbane and they have lots of activities for mature age. We think they should be called Boomerang Centres and hopefully with small government grants to help establish them they can then become self sufficient and run Boomer activities that are planned by a local Boomer committee. Keith Blake will continue with the Red Hill Community Club Pilot on Fulcher Road and has developed a booklet and systems which may assist your club survive. Please contact him if you would like to start a Boomerang Centre on 0439 838 671. I am genuine in my passion to represent Baby Boomers and have spent 17 years of my life doing. I want us to remain active in every way. There is around one third of the nation over 50 so the new government has to give us some priority to keeping them in work but planning ahead for the ageing process for Boomers who will demand to be allowed to have ownership of their golden years. Boomerang Centres is just one idea but it is working. Brian Murphy Editor _____________________________________________ BOOMER INFORMATION There are many pieces to the Boomer jigsaw puzzle and BONZA's 'Moving' Forward PowerPoint explains why we have to put those pieces together to see the big picture and encourage Boomers to focus on planning a new career rather than retirement. In 2023 the age pension age goes up to 67 so it is better we stop thinking retirement and thinking long-term income. A 'mind switch' to the way we are thinking now is needed urgently. My advice to Boomers in 2014 is simple. You have to work as long as possible because the superannuation market is so unpredictable and you need money for what could be a 20+ year retirement. Why not do work that you choose so maybe do some study as it is never too late to start a new life. If not study then there is work to match your skills in the aged industry, child care, community services or doing your own thing in starting or purchasing a business. I believe we should be planning our future in three stages so that we get the most out of our different phases of life. Stage 1- Over 50 and still actively working and saving through superannuation. Stage 2- Over 60 and still working full time if possible (even as a volunteer) but at least part time to preserve health, superannuation and savings. Stage 3- Over 70 and retired for most (a few will continue no doubt) and downsizing so money lasts as long as you can. Working keeps you healthier and you will live more comfortably in old age rather than waiting anxiously for death. Many of us will be working or volunteering until our seventies so start thinking 'what can I do' and not 'who would want me at this age'. Speaking of health, please read my story on dental treatment in Thailand in the Health section above because it could be a cheaper option for you in having your teeth fixed. Bad teeth will ruin your health. Two centuries ago we were dying on average in our 40s. We are lucky enough to have twice that time on this earth so make the most of it. It is no ones fault we have to work just our time on this earth is different from our ancestors. Make the most of it and don't be negative. Enjoy your family as they will be there when your time ends and you will feel complete because they are. We need to work together to make sure that we have a BONZA life as we age, enjoy each others company and leave a positive image of our time on this earth. Feedback from surveys: Superannuation - 58% have 10-100000; 17% have 100-600000 and 25% have over $600000 so lack of super for Boomers is a real issue in Ageing Australia. Voluntary Euthanasia Referendum; 80% VOTED YES for one. I have these old survey results but have put the survey question on the front page in the new format above as it is an important and urgent issue and the same result is happening there. It runs at over 70% for yes as well so why not add it to the coming referendum for the Indigenous. Most Boomers I speak to on the matter already have a plan for euthanasia and some have the means already so why not make it legal. Interesting to listen to debate on the Tasmanian Euthanasia Bill this year which was defeated by two votes. It makes you think when one chap said, "I don't want people I love to find me after suicide." Let's decide as a nation to give some dignity to the terminally ill who want to end their lives. Marshall Perron was so concerned over the issue that he has written an open letter to all state and territory coroners about the need for voluntary euthanasia now. Please go to the noticeboard page above to view his letter. It is compelling reading. Also former Qld Labor Premier Peter Beattie this week (March 2014) in the Australian wrote an article under the heading...... In the end, one's thinking turns to euthanasia As premier I fought it, but ageing has forced me to re-examine my views on this thorny moral issue Further, I spoke with my doctor at a recent visit and he told me how difficult it is to get the over 80s to sign the authority to turn off the machines that keep them alive even though, "We are spending more money in the last year of life to keep people alive now than we did for the rest of their life," he said. Another good reason for voluntary euthanasia would be the trillions we would save the country if you can take the emotion out of the debate. If you have any INTERESTING stories about your Boomer life that you feel others would like to read then please send them to me and I will put them on the stories section above. I wrote this story about WW1 diggers after a trip to France several years ago. It is a very special place to visit in 2014 on this anniversary of 100 years since that war. "We stood in the fog in the cemetery and could only imagine what it would have been like to have advanced on enemy lines in waves all those years a go with shells exploding all around you and your comrades dying beside you. It was an eerie feeling as the fog lifted and we gazed out across the surrounding countryside from the top of the memorial trying to imagine what faced our boys almost one hundred years ago. Here died thousands of Young Australians who would never return to their families in OZ and are now part of all our families as they lie buried in this cemetery and the many others in this area that is now part of Australia forever. The French recognize our significant contribution with a Franco- Australian museum in that village of Villiers- Bretonneux which is attached to a school rebuilt with Australian donations and all over the school yard and in their classrooms are Australian flags and messages such as 'Never forget Australia'. This should be our spiritual home of World War One as our soldiers are revered here. You must go as it will humble you and also fill you with tremendous paradox of pride and sorrow. Take time to see all the Australian sites in this area of France and Belgium- you will not be sorry and these brave young men should never be left alone." _________________________________________________ Brothers in Arms Memorial Ypres Belgium I returned to the Western Front in May this year and would like to share this story with you. It is an amazing place for Australians with tens of thousands of our lads never found. This is the story of one of them John Hunter from Nanango and his brother Jim. "My brother Rod, my son Beau and I recently returned from a trip to the Western Front. My brother is a retired Major who spent time with the 49th Battalion and he was very interested in the graves of thousands from his battalion who lost their lives fighting on the Western Front in WW1. On a day tour near Ypres in Belgium we were asked by the guide, as we were running out of time, if we wanted to see trenches or a film that a local publican had about Aussie diggers in Belgium. After the film (by Australian by the name of Hurley who was in this area at the time) we were told a story by the publican Johan Vandewalle about how he was involved in the finding and exhumation of 5 Aussie soldiers whose remains were accidentally dug up in 2006 during road widening. One of the soldiers turned out to be John (Jack) Hunter from Nanango who was wrapped and buried by his brother Jim during the battle of Polygon Woods but he was unable to find him on returning after fighting ceased and he remained there undetected for those 89 years. Johan was severely affected by his find because he had to unwrap the body and as he did so the sun reflected off the retina of Jack's eye which had been persevered by his coat for all those years. He has been raising funds for a memorial called 'brothers in arms’ since then to honour the brothers and their comrades. He is driven by the cause and we feel he needs assistance to achieve his target as most help at this stage is coming from local bikers in Europe. I really think it was fate that Rod met this chap and we are keen to assist him raise the funds needed to build his ‘Brothers In Arms’ memorial. I feel it is a remarkable story and we will approach Campbell Newman the Premier of Queensland and indeed all Australians to see if they can assist with donations. Is it possible for any of you out there to raise awareness locally so that when the battle has its 100 year celebration in 2017 there is a memorial to commemorate this boy and this intriguing story of brotherly love. http://www.brothersinarmsmemorial.com All donations can be made directly to the memorial site on that web site.' Hope you agree that it is a worthy cause and a great way to commemorate their sacrifice. Brian Murphy __________________________________________________ Please join us in sharing those good times, innovative ideas and suggestions to make the rest of our lives a BONZA one. We advocate for:
Media Spotlight Question from ABC May 2014 Thanks for asking me what my thoughts are on the Boomers working on past retirement of 65. I will give you my thoughts on the matter but would also like to add a couple not related to your question but relevant to our future. Firstly the question about whether the numbers not wanting to give up work are high. Unfortunately the answer to this will be based on two things. One is the desire and ability to work on considering little effort has been made to convince employers that it would be prudent of them to encourage mature age to work on. The majority of employers (and I have only just left the employment industry) are not mature age friendly believing in the urban myths that mature age are not keen and will let them down with their health problems- possible WorkCover and workers compensation fueling that argument. So some good marketing and incentives needed here to change that. The second is whether there will be work for them. Of the people I know the question of retirement comes before 65. Many are losing interest in the industry they have been loyal too as there is little incentive to stay and they no longer have career paths. I left mine recently as my continued requests for a mature age policy within our company that gave incentives such as mentoring the young, higher superannuation and time off without pay to travel were ignored and I was passed over for promotion as I am 63. My brother is an accountant and was a Army Reserve Major so when he reached 65 he continued in employment as a tax representative for the defence forces so it was industry specific. If your network is good then part time work is possible. Personally I am looking at taxi driving, self employment or roles in the aged industry for future full time and part time work and will work as long as I can as I never accumulated superannuation like ex-government workers have. I have friends who have superannuation that will allow them to stay as volunteers in the community even though they are not 65 so it depends on individual circumstances but the number could easily be 74% as we are not keen to rely on the government unless it is as a ‘safety net’ but a bit early to tell with the older boomers being only 68 this year. My other thoughts are based on the intergenerational reports from the government. I have been a student of these reports since the first in 2002 (2007, 20010 and another due out this year) and based my ‘Moving Forward’ presentations on their findings and predictions in the main. I have also found Access Economics very worthwhile for their financial predictions. I accepted the 2023 date as necessary for changing the retirement age to 67 as the Boomer ‘flood that is making its way down the river’ will be causing near maximum damage as around 25% of the population will be over 50 and still many without superannuation of any substance. I expect the flood to reach the sea in around 2060 when the current 50 year old boomers will have just about passed on and the numbers will not be as high (based on 5 million boomers in on generation now without superannuation to live well on). I understand that our population will have doubled by then but the plan to use superannuation as the answer to annual government budget pressure for mature age will have reached its peek and most workers will have very substantial superannuation to live off in their retirement so why the 2035 lift to 70? All predictions I have read about us being self sufficient at retirement are based on a 17-19% superannuation contribution so why not lift the employer contribution to that percentage by then or make workers pay 5% themselves legislated. No need then to stop people retiring as they can look after themselves at 67 by then and I have no doubt that government safety net assistance will only be given to workers who are unemployed at that stage anyway. My second idea is a real ‘cat among the pigeons’. Euthanasia is a dirty word now but the times are a changing. My generation are telling me (around 80% now) that they want a referendum on the topic. We just don't want to live until we are a burden on family or the country. It’s time for this referendum as we approach our seventies and are very aware now of our mortality. Yes families will be there for us and that will be a good change in culture for Australia as we can not all go to Aged Care but for those who have already been caring for their parents report that it is as quite traumatic. I don’t want my children to have to care for me in such an unfamiliar way and be exposed to such traumatic images when they remember me. I know so many Boomers who already have the means to end their lives but let’s make it legal. It will also bring an end to any need for a 70 retirement age as the numbers will fall rapidly if it is legal and that should be just part of the life cycle. Brian Murphy __________________________________________________ I have never read an article that describes the Boomers as well as Jo Chandler from The Age newspaper has written. Do yourself a favour and read it...... LINK : http://www.theage.com.au/national/the-baby-boomers-at-65-20101231-19c22.html#ixzz2D4ka1ymK And this one on retirement...... http://www.couriermail.com.au/business/work/world-braces-for-retirement-crisis/story-fnic6on7-1226791660815 Lots to do folks,so let’s get on with it in 2014 and have a BONZA LIFE! ( NB: BONZA is also an Aussie slang term for great or fabulous) Brian Murphy Editor |
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