These 6 ‘longevity economy’ principles can help an ageing population live well

We’re all getting older – and increasingly living longer.

By 2050, the number of people aged over 60 is expected to more than double to 2.1 billion.

So what does this mean for us financially – and for the wider economy?

These are questions the World Economic Forum explores in a new report, Longevity Economy Principles: The Foundation for a Financially Resilient Future.

The report sets out six ‘longevity economy’ principles. These seek to address the challenges of how to fund our longer lives – and also change how we view ageing.

In a longevity economy, people have what they need to live healthy and financially resilient, longer lives – although pensions, retirement systems and social benefits may differ from country to country.

Almost four in 10 of us face financial instability as we age, because of unplanned career breaks, illness or unexpected retirement. Lay-offs, caring responsibilities and the death of loved ones are other key life events that can push people and their families to financial hardship and, in extreme cases, the brink of poverty.

To help people navigate these challenges, action and collaboration between the public and private sectors is crucial.

For example, policymakers can design programmes that protect people from falling into poverty because of key life events. They can incentivize people to save for retirement and provide financial support for informal carers.

Employers can give workers access to financial savings and insurance vehicles. Financial services providers can design innovative savings products. And citizens' groups can help people find the right tools and give a voice to community needs.

Affordable and stable housing is also “critical” to healthy longevity, the report stresses.

Only a third of people globally could be described as financially literate. This contributes to inequalities in wealth and life expectancy.

But with financial education, people can make informed financial decisions.

To make a difference, policymakers can collaborate with the private sector and citizens' groups to develop a financial literacy curriculum.

Employers can give workers relevant financial education and guidance. Finance firms can develop unbiased financial education content and citizens' groups can help communities access financial education.

Longevity economy examples already operating include MoneySense, Singapore’s national financial education programme. It has been running since 2003 and is designed to help Singaporeans manage their money and make sound financial decisions.

Life expectancy on average has climbed 55% from 47 to 73 years in the last 70 years. But a fifth of our lifespans on average will be affected by illness. Medical costs are also a big worry. More focus on preventing ill health, rather than treating it when it happens, will help improve the quality of our lives in older age.

Longevity economy actions include policymakers and health services providing broad access to quality health education and services. Check-ups for key disease groups could be increased.

Employers can offer health and wellbeing benefits and programmes, like health insurance, critical illness cover and mental health benefits. And citizens' groups can provide accessible health education and services and help to make sure communities are heard.

A quarter of people aged 55 and older want to work in old age, but face barriers in finding opportunities.

In the longevity economy, jobs and skills need to fill this gap, so people can keep working across the generations.

Policies can be developed to help companies and workers evolve “beyond traditional retirement ages,” the Forum says.

Employers can make it easier for people to rejoin the workforce after career breaks. Citizens’ groups can also work with the public sector on skills building initiatives and collaborate with the private sector on training best practice.

Loneliness can significantly impact health and wellbeing. So, as we get older, social connections are vital.

Longevity economy initiatives could include policymakers collaborating with the private sector to build environments for communities to connect across the generations.

Companies can find ways to keep older workers connected to the workplace and the sense of purpose this brings. Citizens’ groups can help to tackle social isolation and encourage people of all ages to take part in community activities.

Longevity economy examples include AgeWell, a programme piloted in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2014 and since launched internationally. The programme recruits elderly caregivers who check on the health and well-being of other seniors.

The benefits of longevity aren’t felt equally by everyone. There are inequalities in income, wealth and well-being.

For example, around one in six Black Americans over the age of 65 in the United States live in poverty, compared to one in 15 white Americans.

Education, resources and tools need to be designed to promote inclusion.

For example, policymakers and businesses need to address factors that contribute to inequalities in financial resilience and longevity, including gender, race, ethnicity, geography, disability and socioeconomic background. Access to quality health, retirement and social care need to be equal for everyone, regardless of their background or job.

Citizens’ groups can continue advocating for those who feel marginalized and holding the private and public sectors to account.