The Ready for Ageing Alliance has set out an 11-point prescription to help individuals prepare for ageing.
The Alliance, a coalition of eight organisations, came together in 2013 to make the case for action to ensure that our society is ready for ageing.
The Ready for Ageing Alliance is publishing the prescription ahead of the launch of its Manifesto on 8 September 2014, which will set out ideas for how policymakers can better respond to the challenges of ageing.
The Alliance points out that our responsibility to age well needs to be supported by a series of rights. Policymakers must ensure that we are all well equipped to ensure we are ready for ageing. It argues that individuals need access to advice, services and opportunities for learning.
It is calling for the creation of a ‘Ready for Later Life’ pack, which would signpost people at the age of 50, to additional information and advice on preparing for ageing.
David Sinclair, spokesperson for the Ready for Ageing Alliance, said: “We should all take responsibility for ageing well. But if we are to keep active, it is important to ensure there are services available to help us do so. If we want people to continue to be engaged as older workers or volunteers, we must end ageism.
“At the age of 50, everyone should be sent a sent a Ready for Later Life pack at 50, signposting them to information and advice on preparing for ageing.”
Mark Stoppard, head of product development at Partnership, added: “While in an ideal world, people would be fully prepared for retirement with an adequate pension pot, excellent health and no debts, we all know that this is often not the case. Therefore, the Ready for Aging Alliance 11-point prescription and proposed ready for later life pack is to be welcomed.
“We are particularly keen on the over-50s having access to advice, services and opportunities for learning – especially with regards to their finances. It can be extremely daunting for someone to work out how much money they need for retirement as not only do they not know how long it will last or what inflation might be but they can’t predict their state of health or the support they might need.
“Support and help making these life changing decisions is vital and we are keen that people receive this sooner rather than later. Even making small changes in the run up to retirement can make a real difference to quality of your life and your finances so these practical suggestions are very helpful.”