In 2023, Australia raised the pension age from 65 to 67, prompting concerns among manual workers about the physical demands of working until that age. Professor Gary Martin, a workplace specialist at the Australian Institute of Management, noted, "For some, 67 is an achievable and even desirable pension age. For others, the road there is far more demanding."

Paul Quealy, a 60-year-old carpenter and laborer, shared his experience. He recently underwent surgery for skin cancer and is now unable to work full weeks due to health issues. "I've recently had checks on my knees and the cartilage is worn out in my joints, including my shoulder, and it's due to lifting heavy weights," he said. Although his doctor suggested he apply for a disability pension, Quealy prefers to work part-time. However, he finds it challenging to secure employment. "You hit 55 and you feel like nobody wants you anymore. I think it has a mental impact on you," he added.

Quealy advocates for adjusting the pension age for those in physically demanding jobs, such as nurses and aged care workers. He also calls for financial assistance for manual laborers needing work-related surgeries, like knee replacements, to access private healthcare more quickly. "So you can get back to work and support your family," he said. He suggested that there should be means-tested support for those unable to afford high medical bills.

Petia McClenaghan, a former tuck shop manager, echoed similar sentiments. At 58, she believes the pension age of 67 is unsustainable for physical workers. "There was absolutely no way I could continue to do what I did; I was having degeneration in my hips and shoulders," she explained. With minimal superannuation, she relies on JobSeeker payments and has struggled to find work despite retraining in business administration. "I just felt I was being passed over," she said. McClenaghan's rent consumes 80 percent of her Centrelink allowance, leading her to fear homelessness. "I say to people, 'I am one rent increase away from homelessness,' and I know that sounds very drastic but I literally am," she stated.

Despite her challenges, McClenaghan volunteers with Compassion for Community, which provides meals for those in need. She has considered retiring overseas to reduce living costs, looking at countries like Vietnam, Thailand, and Albania. "Anywhere where I can sustain housing and continue to survive on lesser amounts of money," she said.

Professor Martin argues for flexibility in the pension age for those in physically demanding jobs. He suggests staggered pension ages, occupation-specific provisions, or partial pensions for those unable to work full-time. He noted that many people forced to retire in their mid to late-50s have only accumulated between $200,000 and $350,000 in superannuation, which may not be sufficient for a comfortable retirement.

Martin also highlighted the barriers older workers face when seeking retraining or new employment. "Age bias can quietly edge out older workers from opportunities, with skills and experience too often overlooked in favor of younger recruits," he said. He emphasized the need to consider both the financial implications of early retirement and the potential for a shorter life expectancy due to years of physical labor.

A spokesperson from the Department of Social Services stated that age pension eligibility is uniformly set across the community and is not linked to a person's employment type or history. "The government has no plans to change this," they said. "The social security system is designed to support those who need it most while ensuring it can be sustained for future generations."