No happy ever after for Scots men in old age

The average Scots male will enjoy just 66.3 years of good health, new NHS statistics reveal. As a result, most of those collecting their pension when the retirement age rises to 67 in 2034 will have ill-health.

In contrast, Scottish women, are enjoying a much healthier lifestyle, according to healthy life expectancies projected for babies born in 1999-2003.

The new statistics will add to concerns over UK government plans to raise the state pension age from the 65 to 66 in 2024, 67 in 2034 and 68 in 2044.

The SNP has already branded the move as "anti-Scottish" because Scots are less likely to live to pensionable age.

Marlyn Glen, the Dundee-based Labour MSP who obtained the new figures from the Scottish Government last week, stressed the chance of a healthy retirement still depends largely on where people live.

Men in Dundee, for example, on average have an expected "healthspan" of 64.6, according to the NHS Scotland statistics.

The figure in Glasgow East is just 56, compared to nearly 68 in Aberdeen and just over 68 in Edinburgh.

Women in Glasgow will, like men, struggle to enjoy a healthy retirement. In Glasgow East, the healthy life expectancy figure for women is under 62.

Women in the East End of Glasgow will suffer a cumulative total of 14 years of ill-health in the course of their expected average lifespans of 75. Those in Edinburgh, by comparison, will be sick for just under seven years out of a life that stretches to 79.9 years.

Last night, Glen said: "By 2020 the state pension age for women will have risen to the same age as that of men of 65, and by 2046 it will have risen further to 68 for both.

"If these health inequalities continue, then pensioners in different parts of Scotland will have very different experiences of what retirement means."

Scientists have been baffled as to why Scots die younger than most other western Europeans, including those facing similar deprivation.

Half a century ago, Scottish figures for life expectancy and healthy life expectancy were more or less than same as those in neighbouring countries.

Life expectancy and healthy life expectancy figures are increasing in Scotland, but continue lag behind those for England and Wales. Commenting last night, Glasgow Labour MSP Charlie Gordon said: "They used to say we would have to prepare for a great deal of leisure time in longer, healthier retirements. We were supposed to be all having fulfilling retirements reading Proust or walking barefoot on the beach at Rothesay."

John Mason, the SNP's work and pensions spokesman in Westminster represents Glasgow East. He said: "Most of the men in my constituency don't live till 70. The idea of a long and healthy retirement probably only ever applied to a lucky few.

"For the vast majority of working-class Scots it wasn't realistic in the past, it isn't realistic now and it is going to be even less realistic in the future.

"I think we have to start getting a lot more flexible on pensions and benefits."

John Swinburne, the former MSP for the Scottish Senior Citizens' Unity Party, yesterday said he thought the rise in the pension age was a "typical Treasury move".

The 79-year-old, who is standing for his party in the coming general election,

said: "It is amazing how many people I know retire and then drop dead on the golf course a few weeks later. The minute you stop and put your feet up is the minute you are doomed."