06/07/2024
What makes an individual, a senior?
Let’s take a step back in time during the early 19th century. The age of 65 as a marker for seniors originates from historical social policies, particularly Otto von Bismarck’s 1889 German social insurance program, which initially set the retirement age at 70, later reduced to 65. This age was later adopted by the U.S. Social Security Act of 1935 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, influenced by actuarial calculations and life expectancy at the time. Setting 65 as the retirement age ensured financial sustainability of the programs, as life expectancy was much lower then. Over time, this age became culturally and institutionally ingrained as the standard for retirement, with many other countries, including Canada, adopting similar ages for their social security systems. Canada introduced the Old Age Security (OAS) pension in 1952, setting 65 as the age of eligibility, aligning with the established norm.
More and more people are redefining and challenging the status quo for aging. I think it’s important to broaden our perspective about its meaning and all the societal expectations and perceptions that come with it. Figuratively speaking, being a senior has certainly become more than just a number, and since aging is a part of the trajectory of our lives in general. Regardless of your age, I’d like to know what does being a senior mean to you?
