Policies needed for retirement 3

~ henryhenrycollins

Let’s reiterate. For the first time in recorded history we are living longer following retirement from work. Whereas once it was remarkable for anyone to live for 100 years – so remarkable that in the UK the lucky survivor received a letter from the Queen. If the present trend continues she will spend much of her day signing these missives. And she is herself well on the way to a centenary of survival. And given that most people retire from paid work when 65, maybe 70, years old, the greater proportion of the populations of the ‘more advanced countries’ will experience 25 to 30, perhaps 35, years of retirement. This situation poses many questions including:

  1. How will this non-productive and increasing percentage of the population be financially supported? Not everyone retires with enough funds to support them for this long period and buffer them against contractions in the economy. It would be hard for anyone without private means and their own home to survive solely on the old age pension.
  2. How will this newly emerging group be occupied? Is it sufficient to leave the employment and entertainment of the retired to voluntary organisations? More importantly, how could this retired demographic be better employed for the benefit of society? How could they find a new purpose? Many people experience retirement as lonely and unfulfilling, possibly leading to depression – surely we can do better?
  3. Can we afford to overlook and ignore this untapped resource of knowledge, skills and experience? We may be repeatedly wrestling with and attempting to solve problems and issues which we, unaware, were long since sorted out by past generations. Technology may have become more sophisticated but human relationship, social and environmental problems tend to recur throughout all generations. New structures are needed to encourage the present working generation to value and tap into this resource. We are failing to recognise the value of our ‘elders’.
  4. How can we alert governments to acknowledge this important change in the structure of society and their responsibility to assess the needs and aspirations of this burgeoning group?

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Published by henryhenrycollins

Born 1935, Bristol, UK. Educated at St Brendans College and University of Bristol. Veterinary practice in Cornwall, Dorset, Hampshire and New Zealand. Taught at Massey University, NZ and University of Sydney, Australia. Retired 2005. Now a writer of books, poetry and songs. U3A teacher of courses: Critical Thinking, Creative Thinking, How to Retire Disgracefully, Music for Fun, Mentoring and Looking after your Colon. Now living in Blackheath in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Australia.

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