Life expectancy for men over 65 has jumped by more than 10 per cent, it emerged today. By 2041 a man aged 65 can expect to live 20.9 more years than the previous estimate in 2001, a rise of 10.58 per cent. For men over 80, the increase is 13.3 per cent to 10.2 years, according to new forecasts from the Government Actuary’s Department, which is responsible for predicting demographic changes. Experts said the surprise leap in life expectancy predictions, which follows dramatic improvements to the longevity of the elderly over the past decade, could cause serious problems for pension and healthcare systems by placing a far greater strain on them than previously expected.
