NZ findings from the 2016 International Automotive Lending & Leasing Survey

New Zealand is successfully helping older workers to remain in employment past the age of 65, according to the latest PwC Golden Age Index. Drawing on data from the OECD, the report combines multiple metrics to determine how these countries compare to one another.

This year’s findings show New Zealand has again performed well, ranking second behind Iceland for the second year in a row. This also puts New Zealand in the ‘most improved’ category, rising seven places since the first Golden Age Index in 2003.

The report includes a number of key recommendations to improve on the survey rankings. These include:

• Encouraging later retirement. This could be achieved through pension reform or by creating other financial incentives that encourage workers to continue working past the official retirement age.

• Improving employability. Policymakers could focus on promoting lifelong education and training, which could upskill older workers and potentially reduce unemployment of older workers.

• Reducing employment barriers for older workers. Public policy could place an emphasis on tightening regulation around labour market discrimination against older workers.