Controversial proposed pension changes would leave men in Aberdeen communities “to work until the day they die”, it was claimed last night.
Influential think tank The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) proposes raising the state pension age to 75 to save millions and help people stay in “life enhancing” employment.
But latest city council statistics show that in 16 Aberdeen areas the average life expectancy for a man is below 75 – leading to fears they will die before seeing retirement.
The think tank insist Britain can no longer afford the current plan to raise the pension age to 67 in 2028 and then 68 by 2046 and that the process must speed up.
It has suggested the state pension age must now rise to 70 by 2028 and to 75 by 2035.
The organisation – chaired by Ian Duncan Smith, a former pensions secretary and a key ally of Prime Minister Boris Johnson – claims that with an aging population, the move will save government money and “improve the health and wellbeing” of working people.
Old age charities have already strongly criticised the proposals and last night opponents said the change would mean the average man in many parts of Aberdeen would not live to retire.
Latest city council life expectancy figures, from between 2013 and 2017, reveal that in 16 communities the average male life expectancy is below 75.
In November, the P&J revealed that the biggest gap in the city was 15 years, with Seaton men having a life expectancy of just 69. In Mannofield men are expected live to 84.
For women, the only area where the average life expectancy is below 75 is Woodside.
Kincorth, Nigg and Cove councillor Stephen Flynn, the opposition SNP group leader at the city council, said: “The reality is that these proposals to raise the state pension age to 75 would mean that many people across our city would be forced to work until the day they die.
“We should be acutely aware that average life expectancy for males is below 75 in our city’s most disadvantaged areas.
“Proposals such as these have all the hallmarks of a Tory party intent on continuing to attack the poorest in society.”
Aberdeen Labour George Street and Harbour councillor Sandra Macdonald said: “I think 75 is far too long to expect most people to work full time.
“You also have to reflect on different jobs – carrying on to that age might be ok if you have a desk job but some people lug bags of concrete about, work as refuse collectors, in wards of hospitals or at schools. These are very physically demanding jobs.
“If people want to carry on working then more power to them but it shouldn’t be forced.”
A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman told the Sunday Express: “We raised the future retirement age to 68 so that it is sustainable now and for future generations.
“The state pension age is kept under review and we’re creating opportunities for people of all generations with record employment.”
CSJ chief executive Andy Cook told the paper: “Working longer has the potential to improve health and wellbeing and increase retirement savings.
“By increasing the state pension age, we can help people stay in gainful and life-enhancing employment while also making a sound short-term financial decision.”
