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RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
Keele researchers contribute to national pension age policy review
Researchers from Keele University ’ s School of Medicine have contributed to a Government review , which aims to identify research that can be used to inform decisions on the UK ’ s state pension age .
Dr Ross Wilkie and Dr Marty Lynch were invited by Baroness Lucy Neville-Rolfe to discuss their work on Healthy Working Life Expectancy as part of the UK Independent State Pension Age Review . Their research estimates the average number of years that populations are healthy and in work , and has identified inequalities by socio-demographic , geographical , health and workplace factors .
Their research , published in Nature Aging , found that the number of years people can remain healthy and in work is increasing , but not at the same pace as life expectancy , and not at a rate that aligns with the increasing state pension age .
Additional research led by Dr Lynch estimated that , on average , people in England from age fifty can expect to be healthy and in work for nine more years , and the results raised questions over whether a sufficient proportion of people can work until they would be able to receive the state pension .
Dr Lynch , Lecturer in Public Health , said : “ Health plays a major role in whether a person can work until an older age . Our research focuses on how many working years are being achieved in good health . Our research findings contribute to the discussion around possible implications and considerations relating to the rising State Pension age .”
Dr Wilkie , Senior Lecturer in Public Health and Epidemiology , said : “ It is pleasing that the public health research at Keele has drawn interest from policy makers and other stakeholders . We have a strong track record in research on work at Keele , and in developing novel approaches to using data to understand population health . Our work on healthy working life expectancy is being considered alongside that on intergenerational fairness and sustainability and affordability of state pensions .