According to the publication released by the UNFPA or the United Nations Population Fund last 2012 entitled Ageing in the 21st Century , the ageing population phenomena is currently trending. The study indicates that the ratio was currently pegged at one out of eight people in the world are within the age bracket of over 60 years old in the next 10 years. A not so good indicator that faces every nation who has a very imbalance ratio when the median age of all the people in a country or region rises up due to a longer life expectancy ratio and/or due to the significant declines in the country's fertility ratio. Said to be currently experiencing such demography was Japan, China, India, Korea, and other countries whose respective government agencies on population have very abnormal ratio of its ageing citizen against its newborns. In America, the latest population data available suggests that one in every seven Americans are above 65 years old. Does this mean the American race is tilting down the scale and alarming? What can you say about this?
I think one effect is already hitting us - the increase in pension age. I was expecting to get my state pension at age 60 only to be told, when I was 56, that I would not be eligible until I'm 67 ...
I guess this means more headaches and getting serious attention for the US government to take care of its seniors. I do hope Julie, in my case and when I reach your age, my government will be ready to take care of me and the rest of us seniors soon.
I'm in France @Amie Ar - and my state pensions are a mix of a UK pension and a French pension. Here in France the pension age rose to 57 also - but for those born after 1974, so my French pension isn't affected. The change in the UK was for those born after 1952 .... I was born in 1957 .... The French measure takes greater account of the human implication of the change.
The wife of the former mayor of Manila said that Europe is now experiencing a problem with aged citizens. Their governments are having a hard time in meeting the expenses related to the seniors particularly the pension and health care. One classmate of my husband residing in London said that she will be eligible for pension when she reaches 65 years old where before the age was only 60. Maybe that's the effect of the aging population in England. Since we are all going to that direction, I think the governments should now be making plans of how to counter the impact of an old population since old people particularly those with health issues have no more contribution to the country in terms of job or work and their health care and pension is a big expense on the part of the government.
Let's not go far to any other country Corie. Ours, the Philippines also has the same dilemma as others. But the impact on us going to be seniors soon was that we may need to face some consequences. Recently, here in the Philippines the pension hike of Php2,000(roughly $43 per month was vetoed by the former president since accommodating such will make the state insurance bodies namely SSS & GSIS bankrupt and largely affect our economy. It simply mean that the past administrations have taken so much from the coffers of these institutions to finance/augment government spendings OR the funds were poorly mismanaged by its officers making the future of the retirees at stake! It was so sad to know that the hard earned money I've contributed before when I was ably working, I might not enjoy when I retire soon.
My hope is that the treament of the aged in the US will become better as the first wave of the baby boomers become 65 and older. I believe they will demand better treatment medically and more housing alternatives as they age.
@Amie Ar, my husband is 61 and has been receiving pension from the Social Security System for 1 and a half years. Imagine his disgust upon the veto of the proposed pension increase of 2,000 because his pension is only 4,000 pesos and that would be increased by exactly 50%. And what about when I would retire 7 years from now, is there still money for my pension? I know that an actuarial system handles the pension systems so I think if it is should not have a shortage of funds otherwise there is mismanagement. As for the issue of longevity, we now see that it is double-bladed, good for the people who now live longer but bad for the government.
I dunno if its a blessing(?) that I am receiving pension ahead of my retirement being a disabled person who have contributed to the system for over 20 years. But, really the disability pension I am currently receiving was not even enough for my medicines and food allowance. I need to work extra online to make ends meet for me and my only child who I've raised all alone since I was a single parent too being a widow for more than 16 years now. But we're (me and my son) fine. Just like my stroke, I can survive, we will survive. Thank Almighty God, my son will soon graduate in college. I can see a bright future for him and the family he will have later in his life. I can only pray happiness and success for his chosen career and building his own family. I really couldn't ask for more. And in the meantime, I still wait and optimistic to have a happy retirement life as a senior. And this forum make me dream and plan what retirement will be soon.