Is 67 Too Late? The Reality of Canada’s Retirement Age Shift

The recent shift in Canada’s retirement age is a concern, especially among those who, like myself, owe much of their values to hard-working parents.

Here’s the deal:

As baby boomers retire, the proposed solution seems to be extending the working years for an aging working-class population.

But is this truly the best approach? Especially when we consider the statistical differences in life expectancy between Canada’s working class and its upper class?

Canada’s Retirement Age Increased to 67?

Before we get to the stats, it’s essential to understand why Canada’s retirement age was increased.

The change from 65 to 67 was part of a phased adjustment, announced in 2012, and the new retirement age was gradually implemented, becoming fully effective by 2023.

But why the “gradual” shift? Well, it seems to be driven by concerns about the sustainability of public pension systems in the face of an aging population.^[1]

With a growing number of retirees and a shrinking workforce to support them, the government argued that increasing the retirement age was necessary to maintain the financial viability of programs like the Old Age Security (OAS) and the Canada Pension Plan (CPP).

However, while this policy may seem like a logical step to ensure the system’s sustainability, it raises significant concerns for those who may not have the luxury of working those additional years due to health issues, job demands, or other factors.

The Lifespan Disparity: A Statistical Breakdown

Life Expectancy in Canada

Let’s kick this off by looking at the overall health and well-being of Canadians, it’s common to refer to national life expectancy averages.

These figures are often used as indicators of a population’s general health.

Overall Average Life Expectancy (2024):^[2]

• Men: Approximately 80 years
• Women: Approximately 84 years

Unfortunately, these averages are misleading.

They paint a broad picture that masks significant disparities within different socioeconomic groups.

While the overall life expectancy suggests a relatively high standard of health, it overlooks the significant disparities faced by the working class, whose lives are shortened by a combination of harsh realities.

These factors result in a considerably lower life expectancy for these individuals, which the national average fails to reflect.

The Working-Class Struggle

Statistically, the working class in Canada faces a lifespan that can be 5 to 10 years shorter than the national average.

For men, this means an average lifespan of about 74 to 78 years, while women might expect to live between 78 and 82 years.^[3]

What is killing working-class Canadians sooner than their upper-class counterparts? Here are the harsh realities they face:

Limited Access to Healthcare:

• Working-class individuals often have reduced access to healthcare services, including preventive care. This can lead to the late detection of serious health conditions and lower overall health outcomes.

Physically Demanding Jobs:

• Many working-class Canadians are employed in jobs that require significant physical labor, leading to increased wear and tear on the body. This can result in chronic health conditions, injuries, and a shorter lifespan.

Higher Levels of Stress:

• Financial instability, job insecurity, and the pressures of maintaining physically demanding work can lead to chronic stress. Over time, stress is a known risk factor for various health issues, including heart disease and mental health disorders.

Environmental Hazards:

• Working-class individuals may live and work in environments with poorer air quality, exposure to pollutants, or unsafe working conditions, all of which contribute to long-term health problems.

Lower Access to Healthy Lifestyle Choices:

• With limited income, working-class Canadians may struggle to afford healthier food options, gym memberships, or other resources that contribute to a healthier lifestyle. This can lead to higher rates of obesity, smoking, and other risk factors for chronic diseases.

Lack of Access to Mental Health Services:

• Working-class individuals often face barriers to accessing mental health care, including cost, availability, and stigma. Untreated mental health issues can lead to serious health complications, including substance abuse, depression, and even suicide, all of which can reduce life expectancy.

Higher Rates of Substance Abuse:

• Studies have shown that lower-income individuals are more likely to engage in substance abuse, including smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and drug use. These behaviors contribute significantly to the development of chronic illnesses, such as lung disease, liver disease, and cardiovascular conditions, which can shorten life expectancy.

Social Isolation:

• Working-class individuals may experience greater social isolation due to long working hours, financial stress, and less access to social and recreational activities. Social isolation is a risk factor for many health issues, including heart disease and depression, which can contribute to a shorter lifespan.

Workplace Hazards:

• Jobs that are physically demanding or involve hazardous conditions (e.g., construction, manufacturing, mining) can lead to workplace injuries and occupational diseases. Chronic pain, disability, and exposure to harmful substances at work can all lead to premature death.

Nutritional Deficiencies:

• Due to limited financial resources, working-class individuals may have less access to nutritious food, leading to diets that are high in processed foods and low in essential nutrients. This can result in obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related diseases that negatively impact life expectancy.

Inadequate Housing Conditions:

• Lower-income individuals are more likely to live in substandard housing, which may expose them to environmental hazards like mold, poor ventilation, and infestations. These conditions can exacerbate respiratory issues and contribute to overall poor health, further reducing life expectancy.

These factors collectively contribute to a significant reduction in life expectancy for the working class, a reality that is obscured when we look only at national averages.

The Ease of Life for the Upper Class

The gap becomes even more glaring when compared to the upper class.

Men in the highest income brackets live, on average, up to 8 years longer than men in the lowest income brackets. For women, this gap, while slightly smaller, is still substantial, with a difference of about 5 years.

This trend is not unique to Canada; higher income and education levels have long been associated with increased longevity worldwide. While the working class faces a multitude of challenges that shorten their lives, the upper class enjoys a vastly different reality.

With wealth comes access to a wide range of resources that make life not just longer but also significantly easier and healthier.

Access to Premium Healthcare:

• The upper class has the financial means to afford private healthcare, specialist consultations, and top-tier medical treatments that are often inaccessible to those with lower incomes. This leads to early detection and treatment of health issues, which can significantly extend life expectancy.

Less Physically Demanding Jobs:

• Individuals in the upper class are more likely to hold white-collar jobs that are less physically taxing. These positions typically involve less wear and tear on the body, resulting in fewer chronic injuries and health problems.

Lower Stress Levels:

• Financial security is a significant stress reducer. The upper class does not face the same financial pressures as the working class, allowing them to enjoy a life with lower levels of chronic stress. This not only improves mental health but also reduces the risk of stress-related illnesses such as heart disease.

Healthy Lifestyle Choices:

• Wealth provides access to healthier lifestyle options. The upper class can afford organic foods, personal trainers, and memberships to exclusive fitness clubs. They have the time and resources to engage in regular exercise, eat well, and maintain a healthy lifestyle, which all contribute to a longer life.

Safe and Comfortable Living Environments:

• The upper class lives in safe, clean neighborhoods with low crime rates and excellent infrastructure. Their homes are well-maintained, free from environmental hazards, and provide a comfortable living environment that supports good health.

Social Connectivity and Leisure:

• Wealth affords the upper class more leisure time and opportunities to engage in social activities, travel, and hobbies that contribute to overall well-being. Strong social networks are linked to better health outcomes and increased longevity.

The stark contrast between the ease of life for the upper class and the hardships faced by the working class highlights a troubling truth:

those with wealth and power live in a bubble that shields them from the harsh realities most Canadians face.

Decisions made from within this bubble can push struggling Canadians further into the ground, quite literally, yet those making these decisions often remain oblivious to their deadly consequences.

This disconnect is not just problematic—it’s dangerous.

It’s far too easy for those who live in comfort, enjoying million-dollar pensions^[4], to extend the working years of others without truly understanding the deadly consequences of such policies.

This brings us to the heart of the matter:

How can we allow those who are so far removed from the reality of working-class struggles to dictate policies that directly affect their lives? How can we stand by while our aging parents, the real heroes who built this nation, are forced to work longer, live shorter, and suffer more just to keep the pensions of the wealthy intact?

A Call for Compassionate Policy

Pushing the retirement age to 67 might seem like a necessary adjustment in the face of an aging population, but it’s a policy that disproportionately affects the very people who can least afford to be pushed further.

Working-class Canadians—those who have contributed the most physically demanding labor, often at great personal cost—are being asked to work longer, potentially robbing them of the few healthy years they might have left.

Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, we need to advocate for policies that recognize the different realities faced by different socioeconomic groups. Those in physically demanding jobs should have the option to retire earlier without penalty.

The government should be focusing on improving healthcare access, enhancing mental health services, and addressing the root causes of health disparities rather than simply extending the number of years people are expected to work.

Conclusion: Recognizing Our Working-Class Heroes

It’s easy for those in positions of wealth and power to make decisions that they’ll never have to live with. But those decisions can have deadly consequences for the people who have worked the hardest, under the most challenging conditions, to build this country.

As we debate the retirement age, let’s not lose sight of the real heroes—our aging parents, our neighbors, the working-class Canadians who deserve more than just a few extra years of toil. They deserve the dignity of a well-earned retirement, free from the stress and physical demands that have already taken so much from them.

But how do we ensure this dignity for our loved ones? Perhaps, for some of us, the answer lies in taking our future into our own hands. As someone who has built an “agency of one,” I understand the power of independence and the ability to shape my own financial destiny.

By growing my consulting business, not only am I securing my own future, but I’m also creating the possibility of supporting my parents in their golden years, allowing them to retire earlier and enjoy the comfort they’ve earned.

If you’re looking for ways to take control of your financial future, whether through effective website design, marketing strategies, or building your own agency, I invite you to explore my consulting services.

Together, we can craft a strategy that not only elevates your business but also secures the well-being of those who matter most to you.

S