Mobility is key to longevity, according to Dan Levitt, British Columbia’s seniors advocate. As the population ages, this message becomes increasingly important.
By 2033, 1.5 million British Columbians will represent a quarter of the province’s population. This demographic shift raises concerns about healthcare and financial security.
Changing Workforce Dynamics
Carolyn Bell, a healthcare consultant based in Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Valley region and member of the Canadian Institute on Health Information (CIHI) board of directors, notes that Canada has experienced a significant change in workforce dynamics over the past six decades:
- In 1960, there were eight people in the workforce for every one person retired.
- Today, that number has dropped to three workers per retiree.
The financial implications are stark: nearly two-thirds (64%) of Canadian retirees rely solely on Old Age Security (OAS) payments after retiring from full-time employment.
The Need for Financial Independence
Many Canadians plan to continue working part-time jobs past retirement age due largely to financial necessity, given rising costs such as housing prices. According to data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC):
- Housing prices have increased four times faster than wages over the last twenty-five years.
This trend highlights the need for retirees to prioritize saving money to maintain financial independence without relying heavily on family members or government assistance programs like OAS/GIS benefits.
Public Perception and Health Concerns
Research Co.’s Mario Canseco reports that more than six-in-ten Canadians believe it is essential or very important for older individuals who want an active lifestyle post-retirement to prioritize saving money.
International Council on Active Ageing founder Colin Milner emphasizes that life expectancy has grown by thirty years on average since 1900. However, retirees need to focus on extending their "healthspan"—the number of years they remain healthy before dying. Milner adds that research shows if someone does everything right at age fifty, they can increase their lifespan by twelve years; however, he noted that most men do not follow these guidelines, as only five percent meet all criteria when surveyed.
Concerns Among Retirees
Half of retired individuals are worried about their physical and financial health. Among working adults, concern levels rise:
- 73% are concerned about financial health.
- 56% are concerned about physical health.
- 48% are concerned about mental health.
This growing concern underscores the importance of proactive measures for both current and future retirees to ensure a secure and healthy retirement.
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