People After Retirement Often Require Financial Assistance- IELTS Writing Task 2

People after retirement often require financial assistance. Should the government be responsible for this or should the individuals make provisions for themselves? Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Outline

Essay Type

Discussion essay

Introduction 

Sentences 1&2 – It is a customary notion that individuals who have retired from work need monetary support to manage the demands of daily living. Some people opine that the government should lend a hand to these people while others suggest that the individuals should be financially self-reliant.

Sentence 3 – I agree with the former and in this essay, I will be discussing these contrasting viewpoints and examine the contributions of individuals and governments when saving up for retirement.

Body Paragraphs:

Paragraph 1 – Governments owe to their people to serve their needs and provide financial assistance to retired people if needed through benefits, not taxing income generated from pension and providing subsidies.

Paragraph 2 – Individuals and their employers can also help save up money during the time they spend in active service through contributing to pension funds before retirement, getting insurance and investments.

Conclusion

Thus, in conclusion, it can be said that both government and individuals have significant roles to play when providing monetary assistance towards people who have retired, with the individual contributions being more significant while the person is actively working and the government’s contributions emerging as more significant when the person in question has already retired.

Sample Essay

It is a customary notion that individuals who have retired from work need monetary support to manage the demands of daily living. Some people opine that the government should lend a hand to these people, while others suggest that the individuals should be financially self-reliant. I agree with the former and in this essay, I will discuss these contrasting viewpoints and examine how individuals’ and governments’ contributions play a role in retirement.

Firstly, I think it is the government’s job to see to the needs of all people and therefore, it is their duty to provide succour to retired persons for sustenance. They could do this by providing benefits or pensions as well as offering subsidies. The government can also provide free healthcare since many older people frequently suffer from chronic health issues. Providing bus passes and transport at a rebate may considerably help people who have retired. Lastly, ensuring that the passive income generated by retired persons through their pensions remains tax-free will also financially aid them.

However, it can also be argued that individuals themselves should have saved up enough when they were in active service so that they could look after themselves following their retirement. Moreover, organisations also have a duty to their employees to grant financial support to their pension funds. Individuals can also save up for the future during their tenure by setting financial goals and reining in their spending. Also, investing in funds and getting insurance can help provide financial security when the individual ultimately leaves the workforce.

Thus, in conclusion, it can be said that both government and individuals have significant roles to play when providing monetary assistance to people who have retired, with the individual contributions being more significant while the person is actively working and the government’s contributions emerging as more significant when the person in question has withdrawn from work.

Vocabulary

• Succour

Meaning – Support or aid
Example – She provided succour to the victims of the accident by ensuring they received first aid and medical attention.

• Tenure

Meaning – The act or manner of holding a position or a job
Example – She has had a long tenure as a teacher in our esteemed institution.

• Rein

Meaning – To limit or control
Example – You must rein in your spending or risk facing bankruptcy.

• Withdraw

Meaning – To back away or remove oneself from a situation
Example – The boxer refused to withdraw from the fight.

• Monetary

Meaning – Financial
Example – She does not like to talk to me about her monetary concerns.

• Passive

Meaning – Unassertive
Example – Most people mistook his pacifism as him being passive or as cowardice.

• Self-reliant

Meaning – Independent
Example – Sita learned to be self-reliant from a young age after her parents’ demise.

• Subsidy

Meaning – Allowance or grant
Example – The organisation received a hefty subsidy from the government.

• Invest

Meaning – To spend money to make something better
Example – The government decided to invest heavily in defence with the threat of war looming large over them.

• Sustenance

Meaning – Support or maintenance
Example – The rivers were a source of sustenance for the village.