In 2013, GCOA set out to investigate the effects of travel on the healthy aging process and uncover how individuals are preparing to make their travel dreams a reality. The first piece of this two-part project is a meta-analysis of existing academic and social research. This first-of-its-kind research links travel – and the activities associated with travel – with positive health outcomes.

See Part II

The second annual Aegon Retirement Readiness Survey paints a picture of continued un-readiness when it comes to retirement planning. Despite increasing numbers of retirees, longer life expectancies and decreasing work age populations, all countries represented in the Aegon Retirement Readiness Survey showed a decline in readiness compared with 2012.

This 2013 report is based on findings from the second annual Aegon Retirement Readiness Survey, which analyzed multi-year trends and assesses the retirement expectations of 11,000 workers in 12 countries spanning Europe, the Americas, Asia and Australia. This report finds that the aspiration to save for retirement remains surprisingly strong for employees in their twenties. As the squeeze on household incomes places constraints on their ability to save, it is necessary to improve access to retirement products, preferably with clear tax benefits, and to better financial education and advice.

This 2013 GCOA report advocates for a life-course approach to vaccinations. The report underscores the need for a greater awareness of the role of vaccines as a preventive measure as the global population ages, highlighting that immunizations among adults remain below target levels. The result is unnecessary costs, unwanted health outcomes, and poor utilization of health resources.

In June 2013, GCOA and the OECD hosted an expert consultation on innovation for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia at Harris Manchester College. The aim of this consultation was to stimulate discussion and the highest possible level of expert engagement in setting out an agenda for OECD action to accelerate innovation for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Specifically, the objectives were to:

• Provide a space for country experts, policy makers and other stakeholders to share views on the main scientific, technological and policy challenges Alzheimer’s and dementia raise
• Create an opportunity for multidisciplinary exchange
• Capture views on how to move forward and develop concrete ideas for OECD action

Visit the OECD website for more information.

The first annual Aegon Retirement Readiness Survey aims to better understand prevailing attitudes about retirement planning and personal expectations among the current working generation within eight European countries, as well as the United States. The report confirms that immediate action is required to address a general lack of retirement readiness. People have, however, started to recognize the essential role they play in their retirement security.

The Global Coalition on Aging (GCOA) led a panel discussion during the International Federation on Ageing 11th Global Conference on Ageing, in May 2012. The discussion explored the role of adult immunization to advance wellness and build effective prevention strategies across the life course. Experts on the topics of aging, health policy, economics, and immunization engaged in a dialogue on the value proposition of adult immunization and the path forward.

This 2010 survey from the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies highlights the correlation between educational attainment and retirement confidence among American workers, as well as their ability to save and plan for retirement. It also makes recommendations for outreach initiatives and public policy, including promoting available tax incentives, improving financial and retirement literacy, and expanding retirement plan coverage, to help improve retirement security among all workers.