Boomers reach 60
August 13, 2006
It’s hard to believe, but our children, the oldest ones at least, are Boomers, and some of their generation are starting to retire. For one viewpoint about what this means, see this article from The Economist.
The World In 2006 | Boomers reach 60
Time for the pushiest of generations to redefine old age, says Paul Wallace
So there’s your challenge, pushy ones, and I’m eagerly awaiting your redefinition.
Politicians will need to pluck up their courage and raise the state-pension age. It is absurd that this generally remains stuck at 65, an age set when life expectancy was far lower. A higher state-pension age is the surest way to keep older people at work. Crucially, this should not be a one-off reform. Instead, the state-pension age should be linked to life expectancy, so that it rises automatically with increasing longevity.
Most important of all, individuals must change their attitudes and behaviour in a cultural revolution that will redefine the meaning of age, in the light of sharply increased longevity and improvements in health. The baby-boomers have rightly insisted that middle age is no longer what it used to be. Now this pushiest of generations must do the same for old age.
Click here to hear a discussion on redefining old age with Paul Wallace, British economy correspondent, The Economist.
Dave, wondering what will come of all this.
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