Don't panic, we have nothing to fear from an ageing society
The UK should not fear its coming maturity. Mature societies need not be societies of old people burdened by providing health and social care to frail elders. They provide the opportunity for age-integrated flexible workforces, increased communication between generations, age equality and political stability.
The Times , 26/08/2008.
Talking points
Longevity is increasing and fertility falling in the UK and many countries worldwide. According to Sarah Harper, the UK is experiencing "a fundamental shift in its demographic structure." The thorny issue of retirement age has so far been avoided by politicians but older people will have to work. The Week, 30/08/2008.
Expert tells locals to start preparing for retirement early
Although nearly half of Taiwanese workers who retired last year received a pension of less than NT$500,000, up to three-quarters of the total said they were not worried about coping financially with retirement, a survey conducted by Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp (HSBC) Insurance in cooperation with the University of Oxford’s Oxford Institute of Ageing has shown. Taipei Times, 17/06/2008.
A million male pensioners live alone, says Help the Aged
A study by Help the Aged charity shows that more than one million male pensioners are living alone in Britain, with close to half describing themselves as lonely. Dr George Leeson, from Oxford University’s Institute of Ageing, said men were particularly vulnerable to isolation in retirement, because so many of their social networks were based around work. The Daily Telegraph online, 10/06/2008.
HSBC Insurance's fourth annual ‘The Future of Retirement’ study, May 2008
This study was undertaken with Professor Sarah Harper, Director of Oxford University's Institute of Ageing and, conducted among 21,000 people in 25 countries, is the largest of its kind in the world. This year's research report, entitled ‘The Future of Retirement Investing in Later Life’, focuses on how people from across the world are preparing for preparing for their later life and retirement and examines four key themes: Inheritance, Preparedness, Expectations, and Choice.
References to this study in the press:
Middle income earners may not be prepared for retirement
Middle income earners in Malaysia may not be ready for retirement. The Future of Retirement study, themed Investing in Later Life, discovered that the middle income groups would always think that they could earn enough for their retirement, but in real life this may not be true. This risky groups include low to medium income households, females and those whose health prevents them working into old age.
The Borneo Post online, 29/06/2008.
Parents say money isn't the most valuable inheritance.
Most people might say their children could use the laughter more than the house.
US News & World Report, 15/05/2008.
Passing down their legacy of humour, instead of assets.
People would rather leave their heirs their perspective on life and sense of humour than money.
Wall Street Journal (Europe), 15/05/2008.
Insurance study reveals global desire for 'personal' rather than 'cash' legacy.
Pre (40-60 years) and post (60-69 years) retirement generations across the world would prefer to leave their perspective on life rather than money or property to their heirs. Less than 10% of those people surveyed globally want to leave money to their heirs.
Exchange Morning Post, 13/05/2008.
No rest for the retiring.
Watch a video including a short interview with Sarah Harper, Director of the Institute.
Reuters website, 13/05/2008.
HSBC insurance study reveals global desire for 'personal' rather than 'cash' legacy.
The preference for passing on personal values rather than cash or property emerges across continents including Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.
PR Inside, 13/05/2008.
