In the days since the federal government's announcement that eligibility for old age security (OAS) payments would be raised to 67 from 65, there has been relatively little outcry.
Of course, the people who would be in the streets protesting - those nearing retirement - will not be affected, since only Canadians younger than 54 are targeted.
In one sense, that's a good thing, since it wouldn't be fair to spring such a surprise on those 55 and older, who are likely factoring OAS payments into their retirement planning.
In another sense, it's political rather than practical, since Prime Minister Stephen Harper knows better than to anger the grey-haired set. These, after all, are the people who vote in the highest numbers.
Decades ago, we used to equate being retired - or to use a term that seems to have fallen out of favour, being "a pensioner" - with scrimping, saving and generally living a modest life. But in recent years, poverty rates among seniors have fallen dramatically. In 1976, for example, 29 per cent of Canadian seniors were classified as living in poverty. In 2008, that number was 5.8 per cent.
Nowadays, in fact, it is seniors - and many of the baby boomers trailing behind them - who are cruising around the world, living in paid-for homes worth $1 million and generally living the high life.
It's the generations coming up behind - those in their 20s, 30s and 40s - who lost the lottery of timing. For these people, two incomes are a must, post-sec-ondary education is required and the job market is one of the toughest in recent memory.
If they live in Metro Vancouver, they're also facing the absurd situation of having to pay 10.6 times the average household income for a home - a far cry from what previous generations paid.
Add all of this up, and it's not seniors we need to worry about. It's their children and grandchildren - who are too busy trying to survive to worry about retirement. For these generations, the challenges are just beginning.
