Why ageing well takes a village

Like everything in life, ageing is not something we do alone. That’s even more true when it comes to ageing well. Systems, sectors and policies create the conditions – the ecosystems – that make it possible for individuals to age with good health and economic wellbeing.

As people around the world navigate current trends around resilient public retirement systems, accumulation versus decumulation and the role of technology, climate change and more in our lives, positive action and big change will simply not be possible without focused collaboration.

This is a powerful lesson that the US National Council on Aging (NCOA) learned more than 75 years ago – and continues to live by today.

NCOA was founded in 1950 based on a simple idea voiced by a handful of visionaries, that older adults should have the resources to live at home and contribute to their communities for as long as possible. But the NCOA founders knew that turning this idea into reality would require a multi-sector approach involving policy-makers, civil society, philanthropy and private businesses.

Yes, individuals can take actions to improve their personal situations. But without the infrastructure to support them, those actions can be difficult, if not impossible. This is especially true for people who are already struggling with health or financial challenges. Simply put, ageing with dignity isn’t just about individual resources, it’s about the systems and environments that shape our opportunities.

As the World Economic Forum's recent white paper Future-Proofing the Longevity Economy: Innovations and Key Trends, details, policy-makers, employers, financial institutions and civil society all have the power to make it easier (or more difficult) for individuals to take actions that will position them to age well.

An early rallying cry from NCOA’s founders was that people should not be forced to stop working simply because they reach a certain age. NCOA and other nonprofit leaders released a report in 1952 stating older adults should “have an opportunity to continue working, making some social contribution … as long as they are willing and able”.

We took our case to policy-makers. In 1967, the US Congress passed the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), which prohibited employers from discriminating against people aged 40 or older in any aspect of employment. Just a year later, government, nonprofits and employers came together again to implement the US Department of Labor’s new Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). Still in operation today, SCSEP expertly blends government funding with the nonprofit sector’s ability to prepare older adults for jobs and the private sector’s desire to hire newly upskilled older workers.

Two decades later, in 1986, NCOA successfully advocated for the US Congress to amend the 1967 ADEA to finally eliminate mandatory retirement altogether. This made it illegal for most employers to force employees to retire based solely on age.

Clementine McDuffie knows first-hand the power of this work. As a SCSEP participant, she built her office skills at a nonprofit training site, which paved the way to a permanent job as an administrative assistant. “I never thought I would learn so much about technology at my age,” she told NCOA. “I have been able to open many more doors of opportunity for myself.” Clementine’s story shows how the right support and the right opportunities can change lives – at every age.

With a rapidly ageing population, Japan has taken similar steps to keep older adults in the workforce. The country’s government knows that it’s not only an economic imperative but it’s also good for a person’s overall well-being to stay active and engaged.

In 2021, Japan updated its Act on Stabilization of Employment of Elderly Persons to protect workers up to age 70. The law includes measures to ensure older adults have job security, to help them re-enter the labour market and to provide them with job opportunities in diverse industries. To support employers in implementing these initiatives, Japan’s government offers consultation and advice, as well as subsidies for developing or improving management systems for older workers, such as allowing shorter working hours.

Japan’s Silver Human Resource Centers, first launched in 1974, also offer employment opportunities for older adults in local communities nationwide. These people can take up temporary and short-term positions at nursing homes, childcare facilities, supermarkets or public spaces such as parks. In 2021, the centres served 687,000 older adults with an average age of 74.

More countries should create a roadmap to foster this kind of cross-sector collaboration to drive systemic change in the longevity economy. From modernizing retirement systems and increasing retirement savings participation, to expanding lifelong learning and flexible work structures, an actionable plan for progress is crucial.

We know big change is possible. But it takes a village to make it happen. Let’s get started.