We have to cease the culture of throwing people on the employment scrapheap at 55 and 60. These people have skills we need. The difference is that we may not need them full-time. The present retirement income rules allow people to continue to earn some income and contribute to super whilst drawing down from their super tax free. Equally, people can earn some income without losing the pension. But there is more to be done. There are a number of remaining regulatory barriers which do not assist older Australians to maintain financial self sufficiency. For example, over-75s cannot contribute to their super at all. And all superannuants must compulsorily draw down their savings at a rate of up to 14 per cent per annum. Each of these factors encourages less saving and increased spending – and increase the chance of people running out of super earlier and becoming fully reliant on the government for their income, health and aged care needs.