Whew, that was close.
I just about had the seniors discount I’ve enjoyed at my local community centre for the last couple of years ruthlessly clawed back.
Lord knows what would have happened if it was. I guess I would have just stopped going to the gym, stayed home and got dementia.
Never mind that I, like most in my demographic, own a home, earn more now than I ever have (not like it’s a lot, but still) and plan to keep working, full time, for almost another decade. To hear some tell it, I was destined for a sad, lonely life if I had to wait, like almost everyone else in the Lower Mainland, until I actually retire at age 65 before I got that $67/year discount.
I’m referring, by the way, to our story about how the city had planned to raise the qualifying age for a seniors discount at Richmond community centres from 55 to 65. The change was set to happen July 1, but at Monday’s council meeting a local realtor, who I understand works with a lot with seniors, presented a petition opposing the change.
Heeding the pressure (or maybe they just couldn’t take another deluge of outrage after the rainbow crosswalk debate, see page 9), councillors decided to put the whole thing on hold so they could have a “sober second look” at the decision – a decision, I’ll add, that was made two years ago with the support of local community associations.
Now, let’s just think about this for a minute.
The reason why seniors get discounts is because it’s recognized that, on average, they are no longer employed, hence have less income. It is also the case that, on average, people in the 55-65 range are still working and are at the peak of their earning power. Granted, there are a myriad of exceptions that can, and should, be addressed, but when we are making decisions based on age, it makes sense to look at the financial averages for that age group. No?
The problem, of course, is that a discount was given and now it’s being taken away, at least that was the threat. It’s a bit like taking candy from a baby. I know that expression is supposed to imply it’s easy to do, but if you’ve actually tried it, you’d know it’s anything but.
Don’t get me wrong, I like my discount as much as anyone. However, I also know it’s a bit ridiculous that I’m getting it in the first place. I’m not rich, but I’m also not struggling the way I was when my kids were young, and the way, (again, if we look at averages) a lot of young families are. And this is what irks me about the issue. The money generated from raising the seniors age was intended to flow directly into low-cost programs for kids and subsidizes for low-income individuals. This makes perfect sense.
If we’re going to provide discounts on the basis of age, let’s support the age groups that (on average) need it most. If we’re going to provide discounts on the basis of individual need, then let’s do that, regardless of age.
The only sobering thing about having to take a second look at giving a discount to a group still working, and at top dollar, is how much some middle-agers can act like babies.
