Opinion | Hong Kong’s elderly will have to make their peace with working till they drop

By raising the age cut-off for welfare payments to the elderly, the government was trying to address the reality of our ageing society. However, a more comprehensive approach that recognises the skills the elderly have to offer would be preferable

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An elderly woman practises tai chi on a pier facing Victoria Harbour in February. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 2:30pm, 7 Apr 2019Updated: 5:50pm, 7 Apr 2019

The Economist magazine reported last week that, for the first time in history, the Earth has more people over 65 than under five. This trend has profound implications for public policy everywhere. However, politicians globally have tended to address the consequences on an incremental basis rather than comprehensively.

In Hong Kong, we had an example of this recently when the government raised the age cut-off from 60 to 65 for those eligible to receive elderly Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) payments.

The assumption now is that people below 65 are deemed fit to work, unless the contrary can be established, and should be actively looking for employment. From 65 onwards, the assumption is that a person should not be required to work to qualify for a higher level of public support.

People not eligible for the elderly CSSA payment would still qualify for the adult CSSA scheme, with additional means tests. Nobody need die of hunger.

However, those most affected by the change – unemployed people in their late 50s who had been receiving a lower level of support and looking forward to the enhanced rate – objected and inevitably garnered some support from local politicians.

People march to the Hong Kong government’s headquarters in Tamar, Admiralty, on January 27 to protest against the changes to the age cut-off for elderly welfare payments. Photo: Edmond So

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