Global Scans · Seniors · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Between 2000 and 2050, the proportion of the world's population aged over 60 will double from about 11 per cent to 22 per cent.

• [New] A rise in the state pension age will plunge more than a hundred thousand people into poverty. BBC News
• [New] Investment Director Masahiko Loo explores the risks of Japan facing a UK-style pension crisis and identifies fundamental reasons that make Japanese pension funds inherently less vulnerable. Wellington
• [New] Ageing Population: By 2030, 25% of Singapore's population will be over 65, potentially reducing workforce mobility and increasing preference for proximity-based employment. Maxthon | Privacy Private Browser
• [New] Half of Retirees Fear Running Out of Money as Pressures on U.S. MetLife
• [New] The National Grid UK Pension Scheme has announced plans to achieve a carbon net zero asset portfolio by 2050 at the latest. Passle
• [New] Shrinking workforces and low fertility rates across Asia will increasingly pressure pension schemes, healthcare providers and governments, pushing up borrowing costs. St James's Place
• [New] Total pension risk transferred to insurers and reinsurers could reach £70 billion in 2026, roughly 15% above what it describes as already high volumes in 2025. Insurance Business
• [New] The federal healthcare program for seniors will cost $1.1 trillion in 2026 as more baby boomers reach age 65. Washington Examiner
• [New] Peptides are a fast-growing tool in longevity and regenerative medicine, but 2026 will mark a turning point in accessibility, Dr. Avocado Green Magazine
• [New] Instead of simply reporting past activity, 2026 longevity devices use AI and machine learning to forecast health trends, detect early warning signals, and recommend proactive adjustments. bleo
• [New] Looking beyond 2026, longevity gadgets will likely integrate nanotechnology sensors, hydration tracking at cellular precision, blood pressure modeling through optical signals, and cognitive fatigue detection via neural biomarkers. bleo
• [New] Within a decade, China will be braked by the growth of its elderly and inactive population, Russia's power will ebb dramatically as it shrinks from 140 million to nearer 100 million people, and an ageing United States will bitterly regret its newfound hostility to migrants. Friends of Europe
• [New] 2026 is likely to be a year of innovation in the pensions industry, with a focus on end game planning and risk transfer options for DB schemes. Gowling WLG
• [New] Defined Contribution pension providers have committed to allocating 10% of default funds to private markets by 2030, with 5% directed to UK investments. Newnex
• [New] The Elderly Budget reflects Kerala's rapid demographic ageing, with the elderly population projected to increase by 47% between 2011 and 2026, compared to the all-India growth rate of 36%. Guidely
• Some retirees enrolled in Medicare Part D plans will see their GLP-1 weight-loss drug prices capped at $50 per month. Yahoo News
• The good news for retirees in 2026 is that their prescription drug costs could be lower. Yahoo News
• Going by the data from the United States Census Bureau, by early 2026, Americans aged 65 and older will account for about 18% of the total population, up sharply from 12.4% in 2004, underscoring the rapid advance of population ageing. Yahoo Finance
• By 2026, insurers will shift from treating longevity as a retirement funding problem to enabling ageing gracefully, supporting financial security, health resilience, and independence across longer lives. Insurance Blog | Accenture
• The number of workers that will support retirees in the future is expected to decline, just because the U.S. population is becoming older. NPR
• Home health and personal care aide jobs are projected to grow by about 20-25% this decade, much faster than average, largely due to the increasing number of seniors needing assistance. / USA The Seniors Center

Last updated: 18 February 2026