To wonder if living to 100 or will become the norm

[User1000005]

As life expectancy improves

In Japan in 1963 there were approx 153 over 100
Today there are 80,000 over 100

I hope not. Does seem to be getting more common though. Not for me.

It's a interesting question.

I'm in my mid 40s and already I questioning how long I will be able to perform in my job at a high level.

If it is assumed that you live to be 100 the pension pot from 60 to 100 would have to be massive.

I hope not.
I hope by the time I get to an advanced age, there will be a legal option of assisted suicide so that if I have dementia or Alzheimers or another slow degenerative disease, that I can choose not to go through that. I think it is inhumane to preserve "life" when the person can't eat, speak or go to the toilet and has no idea who they are or why there are there. Who is that actually benefitting, besides the pockets of the care homes?

didireallysaythat

My pension won't provide for 20+ years.....
......
Do pensions not pay out until you die? Mine does and I have received my late husband's since I turned sixty.

Yes, it will. There are many scientists across the world who are actively seeking to extend human life - and to maintain good health for longer by curing diseases like Alzheimers, Parkinsons, cancers. Any successes in these fields will be treated as positives - and they will extend life.

As a society we have to decide whether this is a good thing. But the medical researchers will push on regardless.

@ChocOrange1

I hope not. I hope by the time I get to an advanced age, there will be a legal option of assisted suicide so that if I have dementia or Alzheimers or another slow degenerative disease, that I can choose not to go through that. I think it is inhumane to preserve "life" when the person can't eat, speak or go to the toilet and has no idea who they are or why there are there. Who is that actually benefitting, besides the pockets of the care homes?

Absolutely this. When the time comes I hope I will be able to euthanise myself whether legally or not. I have no children or close younger family so I don't have to worry about upsetting anyone when I see signs that the time is right. I'm only in my 40s at the moment so hopefully the law will change before I reach the beginnings of senile incapacity.

A lot of people won’t be dead at 100, but saying they’ve got a life is pushing it.

Or a quality of life.

I have a relative who’s 96. He doesn’t live, he exists. There’s a difference.

It may not be exceptional but I don't see it becoming the norm. Too much obesity, too many chemicals in our food, not enough exercise. Medical science will add years to many lives or prevent some diseases, but will not stop all.

The euthanasia issue just doesn't seem to be making much progress in recent years. In fact many countries have seemed to clamp back down, in the last 5 years.

Being in Swiss resort and just popping a pill and gliding away, doesn't seem to be an option atm.

Thanks to medical advances, yes life expectancy will increase, for those who can afford it.

On the flip side, who actually wants to spend their last 5-10 years in some sort of care setting with limited mobility at best or some degenerative disease at worst?

Male life expectancy in the Calton, Glasgow is 67.

I hope not.
Some people are lucky - I’ve known one or two - but at some later stage a lot will lose either their mobility or their marbles - and if they’re particularly unlucky, both.

My DM went on to 97 but had had dementia since her early 80s and was in a most pitiful state for her last few years.

My father is 75, walks 15-20k steps a day. Indoor cycles. He was made redundant in December but is enjoying life. People saying they want to die in their 70s, its still so young. Yes people may not be as fit as they were, or they will have health issues, but that is not a given. Many adults today are not as fit as they should be, and have health conditions, doesn't mean they want to die.

Nonetheless, I agree with euthanasia should someone want to, across all age ranges. My uncle battled for over 25 years with certain issues. I wish there was a non violent method for him to have taken to end his life, rather than the one he chose. Have no idea on the management of it though.

Life expectancy in the UK is falling for various reasons such as a poor diet, lack of exercise, certain cancers are becoming more prevalent. Living to 100 may become more common, but I don’t think it will ever become the norm, if it did we would need a significant number of people living until they are well above 100.

My life expectancy is around 8 years less than the average man due to type one diabetes, thats why I’ve really focused on finances so I can retire in my 50’s and actually have a retirement.

@AcornAutumn @jessstan2

Sorry - I didn't explain what I meant (not helpful!)

If I want e.g. 25% of my current income as a pension, and if at the age when I retire I have a pension pot of size X, then if I purchase an annuity the pot will be able to provide me this pension income for a fixed number of years. With this info, and an idea of how long I'm planning on hanging around, I can either adjust my pension expectations or work like to crazy to put in more into my pot. But you are right, an annuity isn't the only way to do this - and I should take another look...

I don't want to live to be 100, 70 will do me, the day of my 70th birthday I would be happy to get the big needle or take something to finish me off. I'm a supporter of the right to die with dignity, I would prefer to go early with all my marbles than exist for longer not knowing what day it is.

For god's sake, rates of dementia are actually declining, world-wide, over the last few decades - largely down to better understanding of the role of diet and exercise, avoiding smoking, and other simple lifestyle changes.

The population of over 65s is growing, which means that there is quite a large cohort still developing or living with full-blown dementia, as the number of people over 65 is so great, worldwide, but it is not a given that one reaches a certain age and 'loses their marbles'.

@Nat6999 70?! Do you not have a family who would miss you?
My grandparents lived well into their 90s and neither developed dementia.

I don't want to live to be 100, 70 will do me, the day of my 70th birthday I would be happy to get the big needle or take something to finish me off

I suspect you may feel differently when you actually get to 70.

I'd prefer a higher quality of life that's shorter than a longer life with dementia, my gran suffered and it's just heartbreaking. I don't understand why people with advanced stage dementia are treated for infections, it would be far kinder to let them go.

@eaglejulesk

I don't want to live to be 100, 70 will do me, the day of my 70th birthday I would be happy to get the big needle or take something to finish me off

I suspect you may feel differently when you actually get to 70.

I agree that you might feel differently when you're 70. My grandparents are 72. They have a rich social life, they play golf a few days a week, go on foreign and domestic holidays and cruises, they have grandchildren who they take on days out and holidays. No major health issues and plenty to live for.

Big needle when you turn 90, maybe, but 70 no way. I would only be asking for assisted suicide if I was elderly and had been diagnosed with dementia, parkinsons, COPD or other degenerative condition which affected my quality of life.

Possibly. The next thing will be pension age rising continuously until people are working until they’re in their 80s. I predict that happening by the 2060s.

Life expectancy is NOT dropping. It did last year, but until then was increasing. The rate of increase has slowed but is still an increase.