Better work, care options needed as S'pore set to be 'super-aged' society

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Singaporeans now top the world when it comes to the longest life spans - with a life expectancy of 83 years for men and 87 years for women

proportion is expected to increase to about 23.8 per cent in 2030, when Singapore will join the ranks of super-aged societies, like Japan and Italy where over 20 per cent of the population are aged 65 and older

A dramatic rise in life expectancy, coupled with a sharp fall in birth rates, has led to the rapidly greying society

In 2015, the Government unveiled its Action Plan for Successful Ageing, a road map to help Singaporeans age confidently. It set out plans in 12 areas from employment and healthcare to retirement adequacy and volunteerism.

In 2012, the Retirement and Re-employment Act came into force. It marked a major shift for it meant workers could continue to work beyond the retirement age if they were able and wanted to, and employers were required to keep hiring them up to the re-employment age. Last year, the Government announced the next extension, which will see the retirement age progressively raised to 65 by 2030, and the re-employment age to 70.

Besides changes to the law, Singapore has also launched a massive push to help its workforce stay economically relevant, through skills upgrading, mid-career transition schemes, job placement and job redesign grants for firms.

ageism - like racism and sexism - affects all workplaces and forms of work

Qn: Nowadays, people live longer than ever before. What problems does this present and how can these problems be dealt with? ('O' level 2007)