Yes PlanB, it seems the only way is to strive for independence. To be a self-funded retiree. That way, we could

drag ourselves out of the quicksand (aka the welfare safety net). Of course, that may not be an option for most

of us in the real world. But are there ways of diminishing the power of officialdom, of making them less relevant?

A quote from johnboy, a week ago, " when you are on a pension they have their knee on your neck and that's

where it will stay" , summed it up very aptly. A reminder to us all, to avoid being prone.

Well stated PlanB. Recently read article about cash hoarding-- a comparison between NZ and Australia.

Apparently, the number of hundred dollar notes detected as being out of circulation in Australia is about

ten times the NZ number, with fifty dollar notes about five times.

New Zealand doesn't have a pension asset test, so therefore less reason to hoard money ( to avoid an asset test).

No wonder the government in Australia is pushing for a cashless economy. They would love to reduce many

pensions once the true asset picture becomes clear.

If they removed the asset test here, and paid pensions as they should, most of the presently hoarded money

would go back into circulation. People spend money, and when money goes around it stimulates the economy.

That results in jobs, and wealth creation. Which flows through to increased tax revenue ( including GST, and

income tax). Increased tax revenue pays for more pensions.

So, instead of punishing people with assets, and thereby punishing everybody else by cripling the economy,

they should take a long hard look at NZ. Much smaller economy, but able to fund a pension system without

an asset test.

The resultant wealth would mean more people able to retire self-funded.