Men Women Life Expectancy To Even Out

Men and women’s life expectancy is to even out according to a new analysis published by the Office for National Statistics.  The life expectancy gap between men and women at state pension age will narrow as the pension age for women gradually rises to be in line with men.  

Women’s state pension age is set to rise from 60 to 65 between 2010 and 2020, then the state pension age for both men and women will gradually rise to 68 by 2046.  By 2021 women will live on average for just two years longer than men.

Our view

Women have traditionally higher life expectancy than men for environmental reasons and men in the professional class have the highest rates of life expectancy at 85.  However, as many women work as many hours as men now in the same, if not more high pressured lives, trying to balance careers with family and working to a later age, the gap will narrow.

The impact of this is that women may pay more for life insurance protection but will receive better better pension income annuities in retirement.

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