A new report from ILC-UK argues that increasing the state
pension age without taking into account the 18 year difference in healthy life
expectancy across the UK, risks disadvantaging groups of older
people.
The report “Linking state pension age to longevity: Tackling the fairness challenge”, published as part of the Age UK Research Fellowship demonstrates that measures such as healthy life expectancy and disability-free life expectancy vary significantly by region and social class, and in consequence particular groups are more likely to be disadvantaged by a rise in the state pension age than others.
While most people will live to state pension age and beyond, a large proportion are unlikely to reach state pension age in good health, particularly in some parts of the UK, with Glasgow City having a healthy life expectancy of just 46.7 years – a near 20 year deficit from the current SPA of 65.
Males in more disadvantaged areas and lower social classes are unlikely to reach state pension age free of disability, while those in the lowest social class have a disability-free life expectancy 13.4 years lower than males in the highest social class.
The additional benefits tied to the state pension age, such as the free bus pass, will on average, not be available to those from lower social classes until well beyond their healthy life expectancy.
Although life expectancy and disability-free life expectancy have increased over time for most groups evidence suggests that health gaps are continuing to widen. The difference in disability-free life expectancy between women born in the most and least deprived areas was 11.6 years in 2001-04. By 2007-10 it had increased to 13.4.
The report also highlights how the disparity between life and healthy life expectancies may offset the perceived financial benefits of raising the state pension age:
Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, added:
" Those who are unable to work longer due to ill health or caring responsibilities must be given the support they need, when they need it.”
The report “Linking state pension age to longevity: Tackling the fairness challenge”, published as part of the Age UK Research Fellowship demonstrates that measures such as healthy life expectancy and disability-free life expectancy vary significantly by region and social class, and in consequence particular groups are more likely to be disadvantaged by a rise in the state pension age than others.
While most people will live to state pension age and beyond, a large proportion are unlikely to reach state pension age in good health, particularly in some parts of the UK, with Glasgow City having a healthy life expectancy of just 46.7 years – a near 20 year deficit from the current SPA of 65.
Males in more disadvantaged areas and lower social classes are unlikely to reach state pension age free of disability, while those in the lowest social class have a disability-free life expectancy 13.4 years lower than males in the highest social class.
The additional benefits tied to the state pension age, such as the free bus pass, will on average, not be available to those from lower social classes until well beyond their healthy life expectancy.
Although life expectancy and disability-free life expectancy have increased over time for most groups evidence suggests that health gaps are continuing to widen. The difference in disability-free life expectancy between women born in the most and least deprived areas was 11.6 years in 2001-04. By 2007-10 it had increased to 13.4.
The report also highlights how the disparity between life and healthy life expectancies may offset the perceived financial benefits of raising the state pension age:
Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, added:
" Those who are unable to work longer due to ill health or caring responsibilities must be given the support they need, when they need it.”
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