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)
brianbeach@ilcuk.org.uk
02073400440
Twitter: @ilcuk

RenEWL 16Jul14 - Brian Beach presentation

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RenEWL 16Jul14 - Brian Beach presentation