Marc de Cure

(Episode 427; 19 minutes 15) This week Australian Treasurer Wayne Swan launched the 2010 Intergenerational Report, which some scary figures on the economy for 2050. The ratio of old people to those of working age will have doubled and the economy’s growth will have slowed substantially.

Part of the answer we’re told is in having older people working longer. The government has announced a $43 million training push for retirees, but it’s a small measure for a big problem.

On today’s BTalk I talk to Marc de Cure — who chairs the Leaders’ Forum at the Australian Institute for Population Ageing Research. He says it’s a big issue that needs to be addressed by business, government and individuals.

But will we find the answer in time? Japan didn’t. Europe is suffering the same fate. Will Australia be any different?

Do you have any answers? Add your thoughts in the Talkback section at the end of this post.