Two thirds want CPP contributions,
benefits increased
Very few see pension
contributions as “payroll tax”
TORONTO August 20th, 2015 -In a random sampling
of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 1473 Canadian voters, just
less than two thirds agree Canada Pension Plan contributions and benefits
should be increased (61%), and this is similar to the proportion who said this
last month (July 8 - 65%).Agreement is common to the oldest (65+ - 73%), the
less wealthy ($20K to $40K - 69%) and the least educated (secondary school -
68%). One quarter do not agree CPP needs increasing (24%) and one sixth don’t
know (15%). The very wealthiest ($100K to $250K - 31%) and Conservative
supporters (31%) are most opposed.
Two thirds agree CPP not
enough to help retire
Two thirds of voters disagree that CPP’s target of 25% of
pre-retirement earnings is enough to help them retire (66%), while just one
fifth say it is enough (21%). Almost no one says it is too much (2%). Those in
pre-pension age groups are especially likely to agree (55 to 64 - 76%) as are
those slightly younger (45 to 54 - 75%). Those in mid income groups are
vulnerable ($60K to $80K - not enough - 75%). Liberal supporters are the most
likely to find CPP insufficient for its goal (75%), followed by New Democrats
(68%), but even a majority of Conservatives agree 25% of pre-retirement income
is not enough (55%).
Most describe employee
pension contributions as “retirement insurance”, not a “payroll tax”
Close to 3-in-10 Canadian voters describe the pension
contributions employees make as “retirement insurance” (29%), followed by one
quarter who describe them as a “personal savings plan” (23%). Few characterize
these contributions as a “payroll tax” (12%), even among Conservative
supporters (10%), whose party has vigourously deployed this trope. One sixth
say these contributions are “something else” (15%), while one fifth don’t know
how to describe them (20%).
“This is an issue
on which the Conservative Party has pinned a lot of messaging, to the effect
that pension contributions are just another tax. Well, Canadians don’t agree,
and, what’s more, they see their current national pension plan as insufficient for
its purpose, and want to see it expanded, with higher contributions and higher
benefits. ”said Forum Research President,
Dr. Lorne Bozinoff.
Lorne Bozinoff, Ph.D. is
the president and founder of Forum Research. He can be reached at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com
or at (416) 960-9603.
