If you’re looking forward to retirement, Denmark may not be the ideal place. The country recently approved legislation that will push the official retirement age to 70 by 2040 for those born in 1971 or later, according to a report by the i paper.
The UK is also raising its state pension age. Once set at 60 for women and 65 for men, it’s currently 66 for all and will increase to 67 for those born after April 1960. Many experts believe it could rise even further in the coming years.
But can most people physically and mentally manage working until 70? Science suggests the answer is more complicated than it may seem.
Life Expectancy Is Rising – But Health Span Isn’t Keeping Up
Life expectancy has steadily increased throughout the 20th and early 21st centuries. A girl born in early 1900s Britain might have lived to 52, whereas today’s average life expectancy for women is around 83.
However, this increase hasn’t been matched by a comparable rise in “health span” – the number of years people remain in good health.
A 2021 report from the House of Lords titled Ageing: Science, Technology and Healthy Living found only modest improvements in healthy life expectancy. Between 2009 and 2016, healthy years for men rose just 0.4 years, while overall lifespan increased by 0.8. For women, health span actually declined by 0.2 years over the same period.
“We are spending more money to keep older people in worse health,” said Professor Richard Faragher, a gerontologist at the University of Brighton.
Economic Pressures vs Physical Realities
The push for a later retirement age stems largely from economic concerns. With ageing populations, fewer workers are supporting growing numbers of pensioners. Professor Alan Walker, a sociologist at the University of Sheffield, noted: “The main pressure is a political one, concerned with pension costs.”
Yet, for those in physically demanding jobs or from lower-income groups, this shift may be unsustainable. These individuals often experience health issues earlier and are less likely to reach retirement age in good condition.
“Ill health tends to force people in lower socio-economic strata to retire earlier than they would wish to,” added Professor Faragher.
Working Later in Life Isn’t Always Bad – If You’re Healthy
Not all impacts of extended working life are negative. For some, continuing to work offers purpose and cognitive engagement.
Dr Mark Cortnage, a public health researcher at Anglia Ruskin University, suggested that staying employed might support mental well-being, potentially reducing risks linked to cognitive decline. However, the evidence is not conclusive, and alternatives like volunteering or childcare also offer similar benefits.
The Future of Health and Retirement
Predictions vary. Some researchers, such as demographer James Vaupel, believe babies born since 2000 in Western countries could live past 100. Others are more cautious.
“That is a biology-free extrapolation… completely unrealistic,” said Professor David Gems, a biogerontologist at University College London.
Regardless of predictions, the reality remains: many older adults may not be healthy enough to work into their seventies. Yet economic necessity might demand it.
Article updated 4 weeks ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
