Raising The Pension Age?

With people living longer than our ancestors ever did, it has brought dividends. People 100 - 500 years ago died early. Life back then for the poor was grim and short. Possibly the upper crust lived longer due to the fact of a better diet. Nevertheless, it would be rare for any one of them to live as long as we do today. That said, historically, there were the odd exceptions. But that was more the exception than the rule. People were also, by and large, shorter. Especially, those at the bottom. Poor diet stunted growth and therefore, attracted more illnesses, leading to early death. Again, those at the top of the pile were often better and were healthier. They were often taller, too, but health care in those days was still primitive. So deaths and diseases were still around, and despite better health care and diet for the upper class, many of them still succumbed.

If people could come back from those days and see the healthcare and the better diet we have now, they would be envious. Also, the fact that we are all, by and large, living longer. Of course, nothing is perfect, and the poorer by and large are still more likely to die or become ill than the 1% at the top. The gap between the rich and the poor in the UK has widened exponentially. So the vast riches of those at the top and the poverty of those at the bottom are still with us. Which is an absolute disgrace in this day and age. When Britain is or was the 6th most wealthy nation on the planet. Of course, we have a cost-of-living crisis. This will affect those at the bottom and in the middle more than those who have the cushion of better jobs. Wars, Brexit, and COVID have also affected the UK in more ways than one.

45% of working-age adults in the UK are putting less into their pensions. Again, it is the cost-of-living crisis that is causing this. Most notably among the middle and poorer workers in our country. Because they cannot afford to, and this will have a knock-on effect on their pension pot.

Liz Kendall, Work and Pensions Secretary, said she was under "no illusions" about how difficult it is going to be to map out plans for pensions for the coming decades.

The announcement comes following a warning from experts that people looking to retire in 2050 are on course to receive £800 per year less than current pensioners. The current retirement age is 66 for men and women in the UK. And when the next review comes around, which is every 6 years, the retirement age is likely to rise again. At this rate, many will not get to enjoy their twilight years.

Even though many of us are healthier and living longer lives, illnesses have not gone away. Illnesses have a greater chance of striking us just because we are living longer. And that is the downside of living longer. Also, you have to factor in people's backgrounds. If you are poorer, you are more likely to die early or become ill quickly. Whereas if you are from a richer background, you are less likely to be ill and live longer. That said, money does not stop one from becoming ill or even dying.

It is sad and depressing that this society is all about money going into the economy. What your income defines you and what you can afford. This capitalistic society has been the modus operandi for donkeys years. It is not about time we looked at the world of work again, looked at realistic retirements without a work till you drop mentality, brought in UBI, looked at how AI and tech are changing work and looked at how materialism is affecting the planet. Also, how this mad, selfish society is making people ill.

The world of work in 2025 is stuck in the past, and by God, we need to change and fast.

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