The Grim Reality of Retirement

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By Renata Barnes, Editor of DisabledEntrepreneur.UK

Retirement Isn’t What It Used to Be. Are We Even Living Long Enough to Enjoy It?

Retirement once promised a period of peace and enjoyment after a lifetime of hard work. But in today’s world, that vision is becoming increasingly blurred. With the pension age gradually rising and life expectancy plateauing, or even declining for some groups, many are asking an uncomfortable question: Will I even live long enough to retire, let alone enjoy it?

Rising Pension Age vs. Falling Life Expectancy

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the current state pension age in the UK is 66 and is expected to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028. For younger generations, it may increase to 68 or even higher. Meanwhile, the average life expectancy in the UK is approximately:

• 79 years for men
• 83 years for women

This gives most people a retirement period of just over a decade, assuming they live that long and are healthy enough to enjoy it. However, health inequality, poverty, and mental illness can steal years of vitality long before pension eligibility.

UK State Pension Age: What It Is Now and What the Future Holds

Current Pension Age

As of now, the UK State Pension age is 66 for both men and women. This was equalised and implemented fully in October 2020. Anyone born before 6 April 1960 is entitled to claim their state pension at 66, provided they meet the National Insurance contribution requirements.

Phased Increases Ahead

The UK government has set out a timetable for gradually increasing the pension age further. Here’s how it currently stands:

• People born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961 will start receiving their pension between 66 years + 1 month and 66 years + 11 months, depending on their exact birthdate.
• People born between 6 March 1961 and 5 April 1977 will retire at the age of 67.
• Those born from 6 April 1977 onwards are currently set to retire at 68, with changes due to be phased in between 2044 and 2046.

Future Proposals and Reviews

Under current legislation, the pension age must be reviewed every six years. These reviews take into account rising life expectancy, the sustainability of the pension system, and the balance between working life and retirement.

Some experts and reports suggest that future generations may not be able to retire until the age of 69 or even 70, especially as people live longer and the economic pressure on public funds grows. The most recent government review could push the age up sooner than initially planned, affecting people who are currently in their 30s and 40s.

What This Means

• If you were born between 1960 and 1961, you’ll retire just after 66.
• If you were born between 1961 and 1977, your retirement age is fixed at 67.
• If you’re under 48 today, you’re looking at retiring at 68—and potentially older depending on future reviews.

Mental Health and the Loss of Purpose

For some, retirement may seem like freedom. But for others, especially those whose sense of identity and mental wellness is tied to purpose, retirement can trigger depression, loneliness, and even cognitive decline.

Those who are forced to work through poor health, simply to meet the state pension age or financial needs, often experience burnout, anxiety, and chronic stress, all of which reduce quality of life.

A Real-Life Perspective: The Editor’s Journey

As the editor of Disabled Entrepreneur UK, I have no plans of retiring, not because I can’t, but because I won’t. My journey is far from over. I am working on many projects, from advocacy to expanding our platform into legal services, marketing solutions, and AI technology for disabled communities. This long road isn’t a burden; it’s a legacy I am building for my daughter and others like her.

These efforts have become my therapy, my motivation, and a vital part of my mental health recovery. I don’t believe in the notion of working just to rest; I believe in working to thrive and to make an impact.

Retirement vs. Ambition: A Matter of Vision

Let’s face it, not everyone dreams of retirement in the same way. Some look forward to leisure, while others, especially entrepreneurs, creators, and activists, see life as an ever-evolving journey. For those without goals or vision, retirement may feel like the finish line. But for those who are passionate, driven, or purposeful, retirement may not even exist in their vocabulary.

That’s not to dismiss those who seek rest. Rather, it’s a call to reflect:
Are we living to work, working to live, or working to leave something behind?

How Disability and Illness Affect Life Expectancy

Disabilities and chronic illnesses can have a profound effect on both life expectancy and quality of life. Many people living with these conditions face reduced lifespan due to physical complications, delayed diagnoses, healthcare barriers, and socio-economic challenges.

Here’s a breakdown of some key conditions:

1. Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

• MS is a progressive autoimmune neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system.
• On average, MS can reduce life expectancy by 7 to 14 years.
• Complications like infections, reduced mobility, and respiratory issues can increase mortality risk.
• Mental health deterioration and social isolation further worsen the prognosis if not addressed.

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

• RA is another autoimmune condition that not only causes joint inflammation but also raises the risk of cardiovascular disease.
• It can reduce life expectancy by around 10 years, particularly if untreated or poorly managed.

3. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

• Lupus affects multiple organs and often results in organ failure, strokes, and blood clots.
• Life expectancy is reduced by up to 15 years depending on the severity and access to care.

4. Schizophrenia

• One of the most severe mental health disorders, schizophrenia, can reduce life expectancy by 15 to 25 years.
• Contributing factors include increased risk of suicide, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, smoking, and social neglect.

5. Bipolar Disorder

• Life expectancy may be reduced by 8 to 20 years.
• This is often due to higher suicide risk, medication side effects, and co-existing physical health issues.

6. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

• MDD, especially when chronic or treatment-resistant, can shorten lifespan by up to 10 years.
• It increases the likelihood of developing heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.

7. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• Depending on support level and co-existing conditions (e.g., epilepsy), autistic individuals can have lifespans reduced by 16 to 30 years.
• Accidental deaths, suicide, and lack of appropriate healthcare contribute to this shocking statistic.

8. Learning Disabilities

• People with moderate to severe learning disabilities live on average 14–20 years less than the general population.
• They often face delays in medical treatment and a lack of accessible communication in healthcare.

9. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / ME

• While research on life expectancy is still developing, people with ME/CFS often live with debilitating symptoms that severely limit quality of life.
• They are at higher risk for suicide due to neglect and disbelief in the condition.

💔 The Reality

These numbers aren’t just statistics; they represent real people who often won’t live to enjoy retirement, let alone a “golden age” of relaxation. Many live in pain, unsupported, and unacknowledged.

This makes the argument for earlier pensions, better mental health care, and tailored retirement options for disabled people all the more urgent.

Conclusion: It’s Time to Rethink Retirement

Raising the pension age while life expectancy stagnates is not just unjust, it’s unethical. For many, the dream of retirement is just that, a dream. Instead of working toward a delayed reward, more of us are beginning to reclaim our time now, using work not as a means to an end, but as a source of pride, progress, and personal fulfilment.

If you have a vision, retirement becomes optional. If you don’t, it becomes a countdown.

🧠 Resources

• Check your State Pension age – GOV.UK
• State pension age ‘must be raised to 74 or triple lock axed’ in dire warning | Personal Finance | Finance | Express.co.uk
• State pension age could rise to 74 amid warning of UK ‘tsunami of OAP poverty’ – The Mirror
• https://www.ons.gov.uk/
• State pension age changes and retirement age increases | Age UK
• Exact age you can get your state pension as millions set to work for longer – The Mirror
• Government to conduct review into state pension age | Politics News | Sky News