2010: AGE OK

2010 is an interesting year for ageing issues. The Government has brought forward its review of the default retirement age and no doubt the lobbyists are actively presenting their points of view.

To me it is a no-brainer. We should all be able to work for as long as we are able to perform well, whatever our age. This may mean having to change our jobs to enable us to do this and we need to be more realistic about our expectations and employers more prepared to look at flexible options. There needs to be more of a focus on planning for our "second life" of older age where work may feature as part of a portfolio of fulfilling activities. However, most people will still consider retirement at the age their pension kicks in, if they are lucky enough to have one that is.

The second big development this year is the Equality Bill which will ban age discrimination against people over the age of 18 outside of the workplace where good and services are bought. There are going to be lots of exceptions to this so time will tell what kind of an impact this will have.

Age Concern and Help the Aged agreed on their new name last year with the rather uninspiring, but safe, brand name of Age UK. I think they should have called it AGE OK. Two simple words conveying masses of meaning.