LAW COMMISSION AND SOCIAL CARE: THERE’S ONLY SO MANY WAYS TO SAY “THERE’S NO MONEY FOR CARE”.

DR ROS ALTMANN

DIRECTOR-GENERAL, SAGA

PRESS RELEASE

May 12, 2011.

LAW COMMISSION AND SOCIAL CARE: THERE’S ONLY SO MANY WAYS TO SAY “THERE’S NO MONEY FOR CARE”.

A Law Commission report that says the social care system is “out-dated and flawed” has been welcomed by over-50s lifestyle organisation Saga, but labelled as simply highlighting a mess that everybody in care already knows about.

Dr Ros Altmann, Director-General of over-50s lifestyle organisation Saga, said the key is better quality of care in the home not “a home” – but adds the big issue is still the cost.

“There’s only so many ways we can say ‘there’s no money for care’. Savers aren’t saving for it, families aren’t planning for it, local authorities have next to no budget for it, and Government seems blind to it.

“The number of people in their 90s will treble in the next 20 years. Care will become a huge crisis. It will hobble families, cripple the economy and embarrass the Government of the time. The report is simply highlighting a mess that everybody in care already knows about.

“Sure, heads will roll in 20 or 25 years’ time, but by then literally millions of older people, their families and carers will have been forced to endure a final few years of no quality of life.

“The answer is simple and obvious: drive good quality domiciliary care, keep hospital beds available for the sick not the elderly, incentivise saving for later years. The findings and recommendations of the Dilnot Commission on the funding of care will be a vital influence upon the outcome, and the quality of life of millions.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

im@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800

www.saga.co.uk

GOVERNMENT’S FIRST YEAR, THE BONUS YEARS AND BRITAIN’S BORN-AGAIN WORKFORCE.

DR ROS ALTMANN

DIRECTOR-GENERAL, SAGA

PRESS RELEASE

May 10, 2011.

GOVERNMENT’S FIRST YEAR, THE BONUS YEARS AND BRITAIN’S BORN-AGAIN WORKFORCE.

The coalition government can guarantee bonus years beyond its current term if it continues providing bonus years for Britain’s older generations, and gets big buy-in from the most powerful group of voters.

That’s the message from Dr Ros Altmann, Director-General of over-50s lifestyle organisation Saga, who says that a year into government, the coalition has done a brilliant job of ditching the Default Retirement Age – but now she wants to see the same effort put into other proposals and policies affecting older people.

“There’s definitely an improvement for older people on some fronts, but the coalition’s young front-bench frontline team hasn’t quite got the required appreciation and vice-like grip on all the issues, and what the most powerful group of voters – older people, who are twice as likely to vote as younger generations – want and need,” said Dr Altmann.

“They want ‘bonus years’ – years beyond their 60s when they can carry on working part-time and earning. The legislation is there, as is the potential for legal enforcement of questionable employer tactics, but perhaps not quite the focus of support and creativity to ensure current or prospective employers embrace the concept of part-time work as enthusiastically as the born-again workforce.

“So, in my assessment of the government’s first year, my report would be littered with opposites: the government has delivered some brilliant reforms in its first year, but I’ve also scribbled ‘disaster’, ‘unpopular’, ‘too slow’ and ‘no help’ in the comment boxes too.

“The coalition promised it would 'reinvigorate pensions and retirement'. It certainly can’t be accused of pushing pensions into the long grass - it has been a struggle to keep up with the pace of new proposals. But, overall, it has done more to potentially reinvigorate retirement years than pension plans.

“Older people want to work longer – ideally part-time, whether for pleasure, keeping active, lifestyle, stimulation or money – and to enjoy those bonus years.

“I’m being realistic, not negative, when I say the real downers are around women’s state pension age - but that is part of a bigger picture of raising pension ages being a necessary policy because of ongoing economic issues. We do welcome public sector pension reforms, but there is a deep concern over the unions’ reactions to even these mild proposals. I’m also concerned about the impact of pensions being linked to CPI, and that rock-bottom interest rates and rising inflation may also cause older people problems.

“My final report comment? It would be ‘must try just a little harder – and respect your elders’,” said Dr Altmann.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

im@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800

Twitter: @Press_Relations

www.saga.co.uk

ECONOMIST ALTMANN “ASTONISHED” AT CREDIT CARD CHARGES HIGH.

DR ROS ALTMANN

DIRECTOR-GENERAL, SAGA

SAGA SOUNDBITE

May 6, 2011.

ECONOMIST ALTMANN “ASTONISHED” AT CREDIT CARD CHARGES HIGH.

Interest charged on credit cards has hit a 13-year high after a number of lenders increased their rates since the start of the year.

Dr Ros Altmann, economist, former government adviser and Director-General of over-50s lifestyle organisation Saga, said:

'We’re astonished to see credit card interest rates being raised to new high levels even though the Bank of England has kept rates stable at record lows for over two years now. It appears that some credit card companies are charging outrageously high rates.  

“They are piling on the misery, charging yet higher interest rates and blaming customers for causing the higher rates, as they demand fair treatment. Saga Visa has always had a fair order of repayment - and our rates have remained low at 11.9 per cent over a third less than the average rates which now stand at 19.1 per cent according to Moneyfacts.” 

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.saga.co.uk

RE-DEFINING ‘OLD’; IT’S NOT 65 - IT’S 93.

DR ROS ALTMANN

DIRECTOR-GENERAL, SAGA

PRESS RELEASE

April 24, 2011.

RE-DEFINING ‘OLD’; IT’S NOT 65 - IT’S 93.

When Her Majesty the Queen celebrated her 85^th birthday on April 21, 2011, she may have finally re-defined Britain’s perception of what is “old”; it’s not 65 - it’s 93.

But the question is who will have the guts to decline Her Majesty for insurance for her cars or foreign travel on age grounds, says over-50s lifestyle group Saga, one of the very few who’d quote the Queen for her Land Rover - or for more than 30 days foreign travel a year.

“If the Queen was living in Buckingham Avenue rather than Buckingham Palace, then, despite her proven ability to match or better world leaders half her age, home or away, she’ll find it a bit tougher to get insurance to drive, or travel abroad. It’s all down to a perception of age and what is ‘old’,” said Dr Ros Altmann, Director-General of Saga.

“In the year the Queen was born, 1926, the definition of ‘old’ was effectively set in stone, and we became stuck with it.

“That definition of ‘old age’ has survived for generations: 1926 was the year the state pension age was set at 65, and established the perception that we’re officially very old and past-it at 65. At the time, around 60% of people did not live long enough to collect their state pension.

“But because of the setting of that milestone, our mindset today says 65 is old – as if every older person around us is an exception rather than the rule.

“In 1926, average life expectancy was 61 for women and just 57 for men, so the pension age was 14% beyond a man's average life expectancy.  In 2011, life expectancy is 82 for women and 77 for men.  14% beyond that would be age 93 for women and 88 for men.  

“So, by this new definition, our Queen may not yet be very 'old'. Indeed, around a fifth of people alive today will live to 100 - and there’s a very good chance that could include the Queen too, given her family’s famous longevity.

“But even people in their 90s and beyond embarrass younger generations with their wisdom and vitality.

“At 85, the Queen is a renowned wit, a handy Land Rover driver, has boundless energy both on public duty and in privately enjoying the great outdoors. But how many times do we meet hugely active older people and say, ‘you can’t be that old, surely?’ They should actually be considered the rule, not the exception.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.saga.co.uk

RE-OPENING OF CHEQUE ABOLITION INQUIRY IS PRICELESS, SAYS SAGA.

DR ROS ALTMANN

DIRECTOR-GENERAL, SAGA

SAGA SOUNDBITE

April 14, 2011.

RE-OPENING OF CHEQUE ABOLITION INQUIRY IS PRICELESS, SAYS SAGA.

Dr Ros Altmann, Director-General of Saga, commenting on the Treasury Select Committee’s decision to re-open its inquiry into the abolition of cheques, said:

"We warmly welcome the decision by the Treasury Select Committee to reopen its inquiry into the abolition of cheques.  This will be very popular with older people, many of whom have written to us expressing their concerns that they will not be able to manage without cheques. 

“Many of the over-50s find the convenience of writing cheques is very important to them for managing and organising their finances and keeping track of their dwindling pensions and savings income.

“Our recent survey of 13,000 over-50s found that two thirds of respondents (67%) fundamentally disagreed with the decision to withdraw cheques, and one in ten believed that they would not be able to pay some bills if cheques were withdrawn. 

“The most vulnerable of older people will often have no internet access and, if they are hard of hearing, may not be able to manage using telephone services either.  Therefore this decision to reopen the inquiry is a victory for common sense and the voice of older consumers."

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

im@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800

www.saga.co.uk

SAGA PUBLISHES GUIDES TO WORKING LIFE AFTER THE DEFAULT RETIREMENT AGE (DRA) OFFICIALLY ENDS

DR ROS ALTMANN

DIRECTOR-GENERAL, SAGA

PRESS RELEASE

April 11, 2011.

SAGA PUBLISHES GUIDES TO WORKING LIFE AFTER THE DEFAULT RETIREMENT AGE (DRA) OFFICIALLY ENDS – ONE FOR EMPLOYERS, ONE FOR EMPLOYEES.

Video

To download a copy of the Rethinking Retirement guide for Employees please click here.

To download a copy of the Rethinking Retirement guide for Employers please click here.

The now defunct default retirement age has for generations signalled a dead end for older people – but now the challenge is for employers and wannabe-longer-workers is tackling the new lease of life leant by the new rules.

One of the country’s biggest and most experienced over-50s lifestyle groups, Saga, has more appreciation than most about what faces both employees and employers, and has produced online guides aimed at helping both groups.

“It’s not just a moral responsibility to let people work as long as they want, it’s now also a legal responsibility – but both employers and employees may well find the first steps into the unknown to be a bit daunting – so we’ve teamed up with The Age and Employment Network and brought to bear our collective experience to do what we can to help make this an easier cultural transition,” said Dr Ros Altmann, Director-General of Saga.

“The end of the default retirement age (DRA) has arrived – and from now on, employers can no longer sack workers just for being 65. At a time when people are living longer and the country faces unprecedented economic challenges, this is only the first step towards rethinking retirement. The UK must nurture a ‘personalised retirement’ culture if the country is to cater for its ageing population,” said Dr Ros Altmann.

“Many people want to work beyond retirement age, saying it keeps their mind alert and that they want to ensure continued income in later life.

“To make sure we do this to the benefit of UK workers, we need to alter our approach and mindset to retirement. This culture change means that the Government must encourage employers to make retirement a process, rather than an event.”

Saga has launched two guides outlining what employers and employees need to think about in this new workplace world.

The guides coincide with the end of the DRA, a move that Saga has warmly welcomed, knowing that many older workers would prefer to continue working than be forced to retire at an arbitrary age.

Dr Ros Altmann said: “We are delighted that the Government abolished the default retirement age. It should have been done years ago. We have been very concerned to see recent cases of employers outrageously forcing their workers in to retirement before the new regime sets in – this is a sheer disgrace.

“For both employers and employees wondering what opportunities and challenges will arise from now on, we hope our Saga Guides to Rethinking Retirement will prove very useful reading.

“We encourage any workers who have been forced to retire from their jobs to look at our guides and to consider their options. There are many alternatives for part time and flexible work open to people over 65 and we encourage people not to give up.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

im@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800

www.saga.co.uk

OVER-50S ARE GRUMPY, UNFRIENDLY AND “PAST IT”? NOT SO, SAY THE WHIPPERSNAPPERS.

DR ROS ALTMANN

DIRECTOR-GENERAL, SAGA

PRESS RELEASE

April 10, 2011.

OVER-50S ARE GRUMPY, UNFRIENDLY AND “PAST IT”? NOT SO, SAY THE WHIPPERSNAPPERS.

Dr Ros Altmann video

Oldies’ perceptions that younger people pigeonhole them as grumpy, unfriendly and “past it” are misplaced, according to independent research commissioned by over-50s lifestyle group Saga.

The research compares the perceptions 18-24s have of over-50s with what older people believe younger people think.

“The overall message is that perhaps crossing the boundary to 50 is nowhere near as life-changing as myth, Grumpy Old Men and Victor Meldrew would have it,” said Dr Ros Altmann, Director-General of Saga.

“Around 67% of over-50s believe 18-24s perceive them as ‘past it’, but the reality is that just 18% of 18-24s actually have that perception. And while only 11% of over-50s think younger people perceive them as friendly, the reality is that around 29% of 18-24s do actually think older people are indeed friendly.

“We’ve decided that all this is becoming such an issue we’re putting up a £10,000 reward for the video that best dispels the ’50-is-old’ myth.

“There are more myths to be shattered too: just 17% of over-50s think 18-24s consider them knowledgeable; however, the truth is that 42% of 18-24s perceive oldies as being great fonts of knowledge.

“Perhaps understandably, 18-24s are largely unenthusiastic about turning 50, with 39% of younger adults saying 50 seems old, but only 8% of over-50s agreeing once they reach and pass that milestone. 60% of over-50s consider 50 to be ‘just another birthday’, while only 16% of younger people dismiss it in the same way.”

The video competition is open to anybody over the age of 16 who lives or studies in the UK.  For example, you may be younger than 50:  As you think about the future, what do you hope life will be like when you turn 50?  What are you looking forward to?  You may be older than 50:  in a similar way, put yourself in the shoes of someone around 25 today, and think about their world when they will be 50.  

Video submissions: Full details on http://www.saga.co.uk/being50

The research was conducted by YouGov for Saga, sampling 1,148 UK adults on February 22 and 23, 2011.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

im@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800

www.saga.co.uk

Saga urges Government not to backtrack too far on health reforms

DR ROS ALTMANN

DIRECTOR-GENERAL, SAGA

PRESS RELEASE

April 6, 2011.

Saga urges Government not to backtrack too far on health reforms 

'U'-turn on health reforms may not please over 50s 

As the government begins its 'listening exercise' on its Health Reform proposals, a Saga survey shows that over 50s support radical reforms of the NHS.   

More than half (59%) of the 12,939 over 50s surveyed would be happier if GPs will, in future, have more control over their long term treatment and healthcare requirements.  This figure increases to 66% amongst the over 70s, who were most supportive of the changes.  A third (33%) of respondents to the Saga Populus poll, thought that GP would do better at finding them the best NHS treatment than the existing Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), and Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs).   

“Whilst listening is good, and taking time to carefully consider such radical change is sensible, the government  shouldn't permit vested interests to derail the reforms, which aim to put patients and GPs at the heart of the new NHS. Older people have great faith in their GPs commitment and ability to get the best possible health outcomes for them from the NHS.  This principle should not be lost during this pause for further consultation,” said Dr. Ros Altmann, Director-General of Saga.   

She added:  'There is obviously room for a broader role for health professionals other than just GPs.  Integration of medical and social care is very important for future success.'

-ENDS-

*The survey was conducted for Saga Private Medical Insurance through the Saga/Populus poll.  12,939 responses were received from Saga members aged 50 and over to its online poll between 11th and 18th February 2011 

Ros Altmann 
Director General 
Saga Group Ltd 
Mobile: 07545 504 513 
Web: www.saga.co.uk 

Iain Macauley

im@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800

THE CHALLENGE: CHANGE PERCEPTIONS OF THE CLUB WITH 21 MILLION NOT-SO-GRUMPY NOR PAST-IT MEMBERS.

SAGA

PRESS RELEASE

March 22, 2011.

THE CHALLENGE: CHANGE PERCEPTIONS OF THE CLUB WITH 21 MILLION NOT-SO-GRUMPY NOR PAST-IT MEMBERS.

Video – Dr Ros Altmann.

Over-50s group Saga has laid down a challenge to change the perception of over-50s in 120 seconds.

There are 21 million members of the over-50s club in the UK, and the aim is to create influential videos about life at 50, and beyond, to strengthen understanding between generations and change how people think.

And the most persuasive video – regardless of whether shot on a mobile phone or a broadcast standard camera - could win a budding video-maker £10,000.

The video challenge follows independent research commissioned by Saga, which shows that oldies believe younger people pigeonhole them as grumpy and past-it - even though younger people often have far more positive attitudes to older people.

Saga's research compares what 18-24s actually think of over-50s with what older people believe younger people think, and it is clear that there is much misperception.

“We're looking for two minute videos on the theme of what it means to be 50, and which dramatically challenge perceptions,” said Dr Ros Altmann, Director-General of Saga. (Video: Dr Ros Alrmann)

“The overall messages through TV like Grumpy Old Men and Victor Meldrew do not accurately represent what younger people really think of being over 50.” said Dr Altmann. 

“67% of over-50s believe 18-24s perceive them as ‘past it’, but the reality is that only 18% of 18 -24s think that.

“Age groups do have very different views about reaching a 50th birthday and whether this makes you 'old'.

“39% of 18-24s say 50 seems old, but only 8% of over-50s agree.

60% of over-50s say 50 is ‘just another birthday’, compared to only 16% of younger people.”

The competition is open to anybody over the age of 16 who lives or studies in the UK.  For example, you may be younger than 50:  As you think about the future, what do you hope life will be like when you turn 50?  What are you looking forward to?  You may be older than 50:  in a similar way, put yourself in the shoes of someone around 25 today, and think about their world when they will be 50.  

Full details on http://www.saga.co.uk/being50

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.saga.co.uk

NOTES FOR EDITORS -

Note 1. The research was conducted by YouGov for Saga, sampling 1,148 UK adults on February 22 and 23, 2011.

Note 2. Regardless of the age of respondents to the survey – whether 18 or 80 – 58% considered younger people think 50 is old.

Note 3. 29% of 18-24s consider the over 50's are friendly, but only 11% of older people think the younger ones feel that.

Note 4.  42% of 18-24s perceive oldies as being knowledgeable, but  just 17% of over-50s think younger people consider them to be fonts of knowledge.

HUTTON RECOMMENDATIONS: PUBLIC SECTOR PENSIONS REMAIN AMAZINGLY GENEROUS, SAYS SAGA.

DR ROS ALTMANN

DIRECTOR-GENERAL, SAGA

PRESS RELEASE

March 10, 2011.

PUBLIC SECTOR PENSIONS REMAIN AMAZINGLY GENEROUS.
PUBLIC WORKERS SEEM UNAWARE OF JUST HOW GENEROUS THEY ARE.

Lord Hutton's recommendations on public sector pensions have led to calls for industrial action by public sector unions, but the reality is that his proposals will still leave them with hugely generous pensions that most private sector workers could never hope to achieve, says Dr Ros Altmann, pensions expert and Director-General of over-50s group, Saga.

Dr Altmann makes a number of observations on the Hutton recommendations:

1.  Public sector workers will still retain really generous pensions.

2.  Even a £4,000 a year public sector pension is worth more than £100,000, and most private sector workers, especially those on low pay, could never hope to save that sum of money during their working lives. Public sector workers pay relatively little to achieve this huge benefit.

3.  Pay in the public sector is no longer lower than in the private sector, so workers' pensions are no longer reflecting lower pay as was the case in the past.

4.  The new proposals will be fairer for women and low paid workers, because they benefit most from a career average scheme rather than final salary.

Dr Altmann said: “There are several good points in amongst Lord Hutton's recommendations.

“An independent oversight of the costs of public sector pensions to protect future taxpayers and help provide transparency - these changes are long overdue.

A proper cost cap on employer (ie. taxpayer contributions) – again, this is essential if we are to make pensions sustainable because unexpected future changes need to be accommodated more flexibly than current systems allow.

“Linking pension age to state pension age is very welcome because it reduces the unfairness between public and private sector workers - and I would expect private sector pension schemes will look to follow this example too

“The new proposals will share the cost more fairly across generations and ensure workers are paying more if the costs of their pensions is rising.”

Dr Altmann has also explained why public sector pensions remain generous even after the Hutton recommendations.

“All workers in the current scheme will have their accrued pension benefits linked to their final salary when they retire, not career average and not their actual salary when the scheme changes, which is far more generous to them because they will keep the final salary link even for the future. The new career average accruals will only start from when the new scheme starts.  

“Anyone close to retirement or in their 50s will be pretty much unaffected.

“Public sector pensions will still be 100% inflation-linked - even if it is to a slightly lower measure of inflation, the protection is still vastly better than in the private sector.

“Meanwhile, anyone who has left the public sector will still have their pension revalued each year by average earnings - not prices - up to their retirement, so their pension will be higher than for equivalent private sector workers,” said Dr Altmann.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

im@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800

www.saga.co.uk