City Research Online

Abstract

The UK population is predicted to grow from 65m in 2015 to 71m in 2030 and 75m in 2040, with the number aged 65-plus rising to 18m. Successive governments have been reluctant to increase taxes but this looks increasingly unsustainable, if the increasing demand for health and social care is to be met. Increasing state pension age is the customary response for keeping pension contributions and benefits in balance in Pay As You Go (PAYG systems). However, this policy raises concerns about the capability of people to work to ever higher pension ages. Using newly available labour market data on health and disability, the paper finds limits to how far pension age can be increased without necessary health improvements. If improvements were forthcoming, planned pension age rises could be postponed. However, inequalities in healthy life expectancy across the UK are a major barrier to its achievement.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in Applied Spatial Analysis and Policy. The final authenticated version is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12061-020-09359-y
Publisher Keywords:	State pension age, activity rates, health inequalities, active ageing
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HG Finance H Social Sciences > HJ Public Finance
Departments:	Bayes Business School > Actuarial Science & Insurance
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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