Pension cuts won’t impact those nearing retirement age: PMO

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OTTAWA (NEWS1130) – The Prime Minister’s Office is attempting to deflect political blowback from planned cuts to government-funded pensions by saying it will delay implementation.

PMO talking points on suggested cutbacks to programs such as Old Age Security say they will not affect current beneficiaries, but also won’t impact on any Canadian close to retirement.

The memo was sent to Conservative MPs for use in defending Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s declaration Thursday that he intends to “limit” the growth of government-financed retirement benefits.

The prime minister was not specific, but the talking points sent out to MPs make clear the program he has in mind is OAS, now available to all Canadians at age 65.

Speculation has been rife that Ottawa wants to at the very least delay the entry age to 67 to encourage seniors to stay in the workforce, and to reduce the cost of the program.

One of the criticisms of the initiative is that, during last spring’s election, the Conservatives did not hint at cutbacks to pensions that represent a lifeline for poorer Canadians.

The memo tells MPs to counter opposition attacks by pledging there will be substantial notice and an adjustment period so that any cuts don’t impact benefits to those close to retirement.

The talking points say other Canadians will have time to adjust.

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