Study published in bid to improve lives of ageing Scottish workers

A new study aimed at helping policy-makers improve the lives of Scotland’s ageing population has been published.

Healthy Ageing in Scotland (HAGIS) analysed data of 1,000 people in the country aged over 50.

It sheds light onto their economic, health and social circumstances which will “influence and support” debate around how to tackle problems posed by an increasingly older population, according to the University of Stirling. Professor David Bell said “HAGIS is an important resource for academics and policymakers seeking to understand the challenges faced by older people in Scotland.

“Its links to similar studies worldwide and to administrative records in Scotland make it a more powerful tool for understanding these challenges than any other survey currently available.

“It comes at a time when the Scottish Government is acquiring new powers, many of which affect older people.” Participants gave information on their wellbeing, finances, health, relationships and activities. Most of them gave permission to link this data with their health, pension, benefits and tax records. Initial findings show almost 40 per cent expect to retire before the state pension age, 30 per cent are planning to retire at that point while 30 per cent believe they will continue working. A total of 68 per cent of those aged between 50 and 64 are working and around 20 per cent are retired.