Nyaga: Taxing pension will hurt retirees

The taxation of retirement benefits will adversely affect pensioners pushing them to miserable lives, said Joe Nyaga, former Presidential candidate in the 2017 general election.

He further noted that retirees suffer from health issues due to old age and if the only support is taxed they may be adversely affected.

Nyaga who is a pensioner after serving in the public service for many years called on parliament not to approve the taxation of pension which is being proposed in the 2020/2021 budget.

“Why does the government want the many pensioners to die or live in poverty by taxing their meagre pensions in the new budget? It is an extremely unfair tax and I hope that Parliament will not approve this proposed tax,” noted Nyaga.

He further said reduced pension due to taxation will force immediate members of their families to shoulder the burden of helping the senior citizens.

Nyaga warned those in authority that they are also on the path of growing old and they will also taste old age and how it feels to be old.

“One day, you will also get old and know how it feels. Our African society traditionally ensured that the old were always well looked after,” he advised.

The former Cabinet Minister urged the government to find other means of getting money rather than taxing the retirement benefits of the pensioners adding that senior citizens have contributed much to the success of the nation and hence need to be left to enjoy their labour.