Longevity, health, and active life

The Italian population is ageing rapidly. However, the portion attributable to improved survival can be managed through an appropriate and automatic adjustment of all “threshold ages” marking transitions between life stages – not only the retirement age but also, for example, the age conventionally separating youth from adulthood. The most effective way to adjust these threshold ages in response to changing mortality is to maintain the constancy of life fractions at a level deemed appropriate by society. This can be achieved through simple calculations based on the current life tables, published annually by Istat. The postponement of workforce retirement is already underway, albeit probably at a pace that remains too slow. Remaining in the workforce at older ages can be fulfilling, but certain conditions must be met. In addition to improving work environments and adjusting roles, greater flexibility in working hours and increased use of part-time employment should be considered. However, the necessity of such changes does not yet appear to have been fully recognised by social partners. Preparation for retirement should begin well in advance. Both formal and informal training pathways that maximise individual potential and skills are feasible, yet they remain insufficiently widespread. Mortality rates are declining, but significant inequalities persist. Widowhood, for example, represents an additional risk factor. Likewise, low levels of education or residence in disadvantaged areas of the country – primarily in the South – also heighten mortality risks.