Supercentenarians of the future

Ever heard of supercentenarians? You will do, and one day you might be one!

Supercentenarians are those aged over 110, and the number in that age group is set to grow rapidly in the next quarter century.

So say official forecasters from the Office of national Statistics, who predict that there will be around 100 of that age in England and Wales by 2034, compared to less than ten currently.

The projection is based on improvements in life expectancy and a “baby boom” after the First World War.

Although an interesting forecast, its implications have great significance for the future of health care and the benefit system. Anyone retiring at the compulsory age of 65 could have 45 years or more to live. That’s a lot of pension time!

ONS figures showed that in the last 25 years the number of over 65s has gone up by 1.5 million, and those over 85 have doubled to 1.3 million. Over 85s could number 3.2 million by 2033.

Andrew Harrop, head of public policy at Age Concern and Help the Aged, said: “There is no excuse for not planning ahead to ensure that health care, pension and other services are able to meet the needs of an ageing population.”

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