The number of people turning 65 is set to rise dramatically in the next two years – according to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).
Caerphilly County Borough will see an 11% rise in the number of people becoming pensioners by the year 2012. The ageing population will place further strain on public finances as people start to draw their state pension.
The huge increase corresponds to the post-war spike in births in 1946 and 1947, known as the baby boom years, and presents a challenge for the Government.
Since the first of the baby boomer generation started to draw their pension at age 60 in 2005/06, DWP spending on people over working age has risen by almost £14 billion.
By 2012 spending will have risen again by almost another £4 billion.
On a visit in Liverpool to meet with older workers at Marks and Spencer yesterday Pensions Minister Steve Webb said: “People are now living longer, healthier lives and most 65-year-olds can expect to live until their late 80s. State Pensions need to reflect this and we need to make sure that the system is sustainable in the face of increasing longevity.
“We also want to make sure that where older workers want to keep working, they don’t find themselves pushed out of the workplace or experience age discrimination.”
With the latest research showing that many people can expect to spend around 20 years in retirement, the Government is currently looking into bringing forward increases to the state pension age. It also wants to ensure that older workers who want to keep working are able to do so by phasing out the Default Retirement Age.
The three urban areas that will see the greatest increase in 65-year-olds over the next two years are Aberdeen (33%), Hull (30%) and Kingston upon Thames (26%).