Productive Ageing

As a growing number of still active people in their mid-60s reach retirement, they are no longer content to '’keep busy'’ with hobbies, travel, volunteering and grandchildren.

Many seek a life of extra purpose, meaning and personal fulfillment. In stark contrast with the dream of earlier generations to finally achieve “the freedom from work”, the aspiration of many in this new wave is “the freedom to keep working”.

Ahead of the GAP/ACHR A Future without ‘Age’ Conference  to be held in the Legislative Assembly Chamber of NSW Parliament House at the end of May, Open Forum will explore the social implications and economic opportunities created by Australia's ageing population.

The profound change in life expectancy generated by medical advances and higher living standards over the past six decades have created a new period of life of some 20-30 years between the traditional retirement age of many people and their dotage. A new ‘age’ has evolved, wedged between middle-age and old age.

Keeping people of mature age in the workforce for longer has been a policy goal of successive Australian governments. However, most initiatives to date have focused on the years leading up to retirement, including an extension of the superannuation guarantee and remedial employment services for older job seekers after redundancy.

There has been no attempt to determine why redundancy occurs in the first place.

There are no formal resources to help the increasing number of senior Australians seeking a productive “third age”. This remains a journey without a map.

If you’d like to share your thought and ideas on productive ageing or be involved in the Conference, please contact Helen at hhull@openforum.com.au.