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Guest Lecture: Alison O'Connell - Insights on Longevity for the Debate on New Zealand Superannuation Age of Eligibility

Page updated Sep 14, 2012

Event Details

Date/Time Wed 12 Sep, 1.30-3pm
Location Level 5, The Treasury, 1 The Terrace
RSVP

Jane McKenzie, academic.linkages@treasury.govt.nz, by Friday 7 September 2012.

Documents

Presentation material for Alison O'Connell's lecture 'Insights on Longevity for the Debate on New Zealand Superannuation Age of Eligibility', presented at the Treasury on Wednesday 12 September 2012.

Using PDF Files
Date Created by Documents Download
22 Aug 2012 The Treasury Flyer tgls-oconnell.pdf (40 KB)
14 Sep 2012 The Treasury Presentation Slides tgls-oconnell-slides.pdf (852 KB)

Abstract

Many countries are reforming public pensions as a result of ageing populations.  The most common reform has been to increase eligibility age. This presentation highlights how emerging demographic theory and practice can help to improve on the evidence typically communicated in the debate on raising eligibility age.  For example, UK policy makers emphasise the perspective of increasing individual lifespans rather than that of population demographics.  The individual approach offers a different understanding of the recent trends in longevity improvement which could help individual New Zealanders avoid longevity risk in their own retirement planning and contribute to evidence-based policymaking.

Bio

Alison is an actuary and a member of the Long-Term Fiscal External Panel.  She has a doctorate in longevity risk from Victoria University.  Alison has been a contributor to the UK's pension policy reforms since the late 1990s, and was the founding Director of the Pensions Policy Institute in London.  Emigrating to Christchurch in 2006, Alison has contributed to New Zealand's retirement income policy and to financial literacy policy and practice in New Zealand and internationally.  She is also currently working on insurance issues for CERA.