Bridging the Longevity Divide

Australia's superannuation system is designed to provide equitable and sustainable income in retirement, yet the market for longevity products remains underdeveloped. A key challenge is that product design, pricing, and valuation often rely on limited evidence about how longevity differs across socio-economic groups within Australia.

This session presents new research based on individual-level linked data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics' Person Level Integrated Data Asset (PLIDA), providing one of the most comprehensive analyses of mortality differentials among older Australians. The findings reveal substantial disparities in mortality and life expectancy across socio-economic groups, measured by area-level disadvantage, income, gender, marital status, and home ownership. At age 60, the gap in life expectancy between the most and least advantaged Australians exceeds a decade.

The session explores how these differences translate into retirement income outcomes and discusses the implications for the design, pricing, and valuation of longevity products. It examines why a uniform approach may unintentionally disadvantage some groups as the market expands, and considers the opportunities offered by more risk-based approaches to product design and pricing.

The presentation will also discuss the practical challenges of implementing these approaches, including consumer behaviour, interactions with the Age Pension, financial literacy, access to advice, and the broader policy and market considerations that will shape the future of Australia's retirement income system.

Whether you work in retirement income, life insurance, superannuation, product development, or public policy, this session will provide valuable evidence and practical insights into one of the most important challenges facing Australia's ageing population.

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