68 is too late

We will retire into ill health

Medical advances mean we live longer, but healthy life expectancy is increasing more slowly.

In fact the healthy proportion of our lives is decreasing, according to official figures.

In the 20 years to 2001, life expectancy for women increased from 76.8 years to 80.4, and for men from 70.9 to 75.7.

But healthy life expectancy increased from 66.7 to 68.8 for women, and from 64.4 to 67 for men. And health inequalities in the UK mask the full story.

A report by the Office for National Statistics published in June 2012 confirmed these figures.

It said a 16 year old male in the north east of England could expect 45 years of healthy working. In other words he would be unfit by the age of 61.

Even in the usually more affluent south east of England men only stay healthy to the age of 67.

Research done in 2012 by the Women's Royal Voluntary service revealed that 58% of UK residents aged between 65 and 74 have "a long standing illness or helth problem".

As the pension age rises, the proportion of retirement spent in poor health will increase.

There is a strong relationship between income level and healthy life expectancy. The poorer you are the lower your healthy life expectancy after age 65.

The most deprived 40% of the population - around four million people - spend on average 25-30% of their retirement with a serious health problem, and 45% with a disability.

All the official research suggests that plans to increase state pension age in line with life expectancy will mean a higher proportion of retirement spent in ill-health or with a disability.  The hardest hit will be the poorest.

Please email your MP to tell him or her that '68 is too late'.