“노인연령 만65→70세 상향?”, 찬 55.9% vs 반 41%
As more and more Koreans live longer and healthier than ever before,... there's an ongoing debate on whether the official age that defines the start of the twilight years should be raised to 70 from the current 65.
Oh Soo-young reports.
One in two Koreans believe people in their late-sixties should not be categorized as senior citizens.
A poll conducted by Realmeter found that 55-point-nine percent of some 504 respondents were in favour of raising the "senior citizen age" to seventy, from the current threshold of 65,... while 41 percent said the age should stay the same.
The survey also noted that there has been a general shift of perception towards older people in the country, as life expectancy continues to increase.
Korea is also grappling with chronic demographic issues including low birthrate and a rapidly ageing population, which puts increasing stress on the younger generation and on the pension system.
Those in favour of raising the age range believe it could help reduce various social burdens, according to the pollster.
"Contrary to past conceptions, I think those who are 65 years old are still young and productive. My parents want to continue working, and I think if the senior citizen age increases, there will be various benefits economically, socially and on a national level."
Meanwhile, others cited concerns that poverty rates among the elderly could worsen if those aged over 65 cannot find jobs and lose their welfare benefits.
"I am nearing that age range right now, and I think there would be benefits if we keep the current standard. If there is social concensus for the age limit to be raised, there would have to be opportunities for older people like us to maintain our income and find other work."
In Korea, the official retirement age is currently set at sixty,... and basic pension payouts are available from the age of 65.
"The good news is that raising the age range will allow more people to remain economically active but the bad news is it would mean pensions recieve it at a later time. It would also affect the younger generation, employment and social welfare for senior citizens so this is not just a simple matter."
Professor Oh says there should be an indepth analysis on the impact of an upward shift in the senior citizen age,... which should also be shared with the public before policy changes are considered.
Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.
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