The World in 2030

The World in 2030 291
people were likely to live in retirement had failed to
grasp the pace of change.
A one-year increase in life expectancy could increase
the total UK private sector pensions bill by as much
as £30bn to £40bn. It could also force life insurers
to add as much as £3bn-£4bn to their reserves. The
projections could wipe out gains in pension scheme
solvency that have come about through rising markets
and increased provision.
Widely-used forecasts assume that life expectancy
after 65 has either stopped climbing or is increasing
slower than a decade ago. But the data show it is rising
more sharply. Data last year showed a man born
in 1950 who lived to be 65 will on average live to be
nearly 90. 513
By 2030 I think humans will be pushing maximum life
boundaries to 130 years and beyond. It is almost certain that
both genuine and effective rejuvenation and life extension
therapies will be available and in widespread use, although
I doubt that indefinite life extension will be achievable at
that point.
The biggest question I have about the notion of ‘living
forever’ is whether human beings are psychologically prepared
for very extended life spans. This question is something that
has never been contemplated before in the whole of human
evolution. We have never previously had to consider the
likely attitude of a 100 year-old mind (or, more accurately,
a biologically youthful mind with 100 years of experience)