The Generation Game: ending the phoney information war between young and old

Abstract

A recurring theme in right wing thinking is that older people are a burden on the young, absorbing an unfair share of national resources, including spending on state pensions, benefits, NHS and social care. This perspective is presented as a zero-sum game, in which generations must compete for scarce resources, their interests being in conflict. In contrast, others say that pensioners have by no means escaped the impact of austerity policies and that life expectancy has flatlined. In this chapter, we examine these views and the statistical evidence used to support them. We conclude that it is essential to distinguish both inter-cohort differences in the lifecourse, as well as intra-cohort inequalities of income, wealth and life chances that are associated with gender, class and ethnicity; that all generations need a secure income in retirement and sufficient health and social care; that older people’s past and current contributions to society are substantial but often invisible; and that intergenerational solidarity through families and social institutions promotes the welfare of all ages.