renewl 16jul14 - brian beach presentation

The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank

dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.

The opportunities and challenges of an older workforce

Brian Beach, Research Fellow

International Longevity Centre – UK

@ilcuk



ILC-UK Planning Tomorrow, Today

Westminster based think tank Evidence based research organisation Focussed on policy Take a balanced approach to intergenerational fairness Independent Well respected Experts in ageing, demography and longevity Well networked – part of an international network



We have worked extensively on older workers

www.ilcuk.org.uk



Explored what works Why do some EU countries do much

better than others when it comes to older workers?

Policy and evidence review 28 country profiles Event in Brussels (EESC) Incorporated latest statistics



Since the 1970s..

1970s-90s: Long-term falls in the participation of older workers continues due to unemployment; public and private pension schemes incentivising early retirement; and the provision of relatively generous pension schemes and social security.

1995-2007: The long-term falls in employment of older people across Europe begin to reverse as incentives to retire early are reduced.

Post 2007: The growth in the participation of older workers across Europe continues despite the recession. However, unemployment amongst older people increases.



Why do we need to work longer?

We are living longer

More of us expect to work longer

We will need the money

Governments are beginning to link age of pension receipt to longevity

Fewer people of working age

Migration will not solve the problem

High costs associated with ageing



Half of 55-64 year olds across Europe are not in work



We are living longer



A retirement, not an ageing problem



Seven Challenges to overcome

Achieving gender equality

Skilling up the older workforce

Supporting older people in the recession

Matching the demand and supply of older

workers

Tackling ageism

Improving health

Recognising the diversity of the working

experience



Challenges

Achieving gender equality

Female LE is higher across the EU, 5.9 years on average; yet despite

living longer across the EU, women participate less in the labour

market and retire earlier

Skilling up the older workforce

The current cohort of older workers in Europe have low levels of

education and qualifications compared to younger groups, and are

more likely to have worked in agriculture and production



Challenges

Supporting older people in the recession

Matching the demand and supply of older workers

Creating the right jobs to meet the needs and wishes of the supply

of older workers

Need to focus on demand: more part time work opportunities?

Tackling ageism

Large numbers of employers are opposed to the idea of employees

working past 60, let alone 65.



Challenges

Improving health

Poor health leads to labour market exit, but the picture is complex.

Ill health does not impact the retirement decisions of different social

groups in equal ways.

Recognising the diversity of the working experience

Older workers across Europe are more likely than other ages to be

self employed, on open-ended contracts, or working part-time.

Need a better understanding of the informal economy in relation to

older workers



What should be done to support working longer?

Taking a life course approach to working longer

Better use of fiscal incentives to support working longer

Changing incentives for early retirement

Creating more, better, and more appropriate jobs for older workers

Gradual retirement and flexible working is vital

Tackling inequalities (including in lifelong learning and training)

Ensuring the research agenda contributes to extending working lives



Many thanks

Brian Beach

Research Fellow

International Longevity Centre – UK (ILC-UK)

[email protected]

02073400440

Twitter: @ilcuk

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

renewl 16jul14 - brian beach presentation

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