Canada’s overall population is older than ever. As more baby boomers retire in the coming years, policymakers will need to consider how they can meet the needs of an older population.
Sunil Johal | Professor in Public Policy and Society, University of Toronto
Why is that a problem? OAS is taxable income. It’s essentially what a basic income program should look like. If the problem is that rich people exist, tax reform is the issue you should be looking at.
It doesn’t really though. The only problem it outlines is that it doesn’t pay a living wage. It says nothing about why it’s a problem that people with high incomes also get this (other than it’s unfair). It then suggests making it more complicated (increasing overhead) so that poor people can get more.
But it’s much simpler than that. Just pay everyone more. Make it an actual basic income at living wage, and adjust the tax brackets appropriately.
Then expand it to include everyone instead of just seniors.
It says nothing about why it’s a problem that people with high incomes also get this (other than it’s unfair).
That’s a pretty good reason. It’s using the income of taxpayers to subsidize seniors with above average income. Yes, about half of that is clawed back, but it’s a poor use of resources.
It then suggests making it more complicated (increasing overhead) so that poor people can get more.
Payouts are already scaled by income. Changing the scaling rates does not increase complexity, but it does improve fairness.
Why is that a problem? OAS is taxable income. It’s essentially what a basic income program should look like. If the problem is that rich people exist, tax reform is the issue you should be looking at.
The link does a pretty good job describing the issue.
It doesn’t really though. The only problem it outlines is that it doesn’t pay a living wage. It says nothing about why it’s a problem that people with high incomes also get this (other than it’s unfair). It then suggests making it more complicated (increasing overhead) so that poor people can get more.
But it’s much simpler than that. Just pay everyone more. Make it an actual basic income at living wage, and adjust the tax brackets appropriately.
Then expand it to include everyone instead of just seniors.
That’s a pretty good reason. It’s using the income of taxpayers to subsidize seniors with above average income. Yes, about half of that is clawed back, but it’s a poor use of resources.
Payouts are already scaled by income. Changing the scaling rates does not increase complexity, but it does improve fairness.