Leave the decision making to people concerned!

Comments on Ian Harper “Unlock home savings to fund old age”, 25/02/2011, http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/unlock-home-savings-to-fund-old-age/story-e6frg6zo-1225993848749

Is it true that "AGEING baby boomers are haunted by two questions: will I have enough money to live comfortably in retirement; and how will I pay for aged care when the time comes?"

I don't think that is in Australia.

Don't get me wrong on this. Yes, people would say they are concerned when asked this sort of question. But deep in their heart they also understand that that will not be their problems alone and future and then taxpayers will be part of the problem and solution too.

So that statement is misleading and is nothing short of frightening people into accepting the author's argument.

By all practical sense, the author failed to understand that what his proposal is simply from an ivory tower idea and is impractical in the Australian context.

Why don't people transfer or give their houses to their children and ask the government to provide whatever is needed before they confront the aged care problems?

Let's be practical about it and don't be too naive on this complex issue.

PS: the most equitable and efficient way is to have a government aged care voucher system which entitles everyone over the specified age with a base amount that can purchase the base level aged care. Aged care providers should be allowed to provide above the base level cares with extra charges that is paid by individual receivers.

How each person funds his or her aged care should be left to themselves to decide, as opposed to the proposal in Ina Harper’s post.

Why does he have to worry about other people’s decision?