Seniors have warned the federal government against raising the pension age.
Treasurer Joe Hockey on Friday called for a mature debate in Australia over the retirement age, which is currently 65 but will rise to 67 by 2023, as a way to improve the quality of life.
Mr Hockey said the age pension was introduced in the early 1900s when life expectancy was 55.
"Today life expectancy is 85 and yet the pension starts at 65," Mr Hockey said.
National Seniors spokesman Michael O'Neill said any moves to raise the pension age were problematic.
"It is not a solution to the national welfare bill," he said in a statement.
Mr O'Neill said mature age unemployment needed to be a federal government priority.
"Older Australians want to work but once they lose their jobs, no one will hire them," Mr O'Neill siad.
"Without tacking mature age unemployment first, the government will be shifting people from one form of welfare to another."
