MaluFernandezFifteen years ago my first article was about aging. The article poked fun at how you could tell someone’s age by the way they danced, wore their clothes and acted in public. At that time I was 29 years old. Now 15 years later, I’m still poking fun at people who are middle aged but this time I’m laughing at myself. And my friends laugh along with me, realizing that not too long ago we were on the other side of the coin. Read the rest of this entry »

Threats to retirement security are everywhere. The list is topped by the recession-fueled impact on retirement confidence: People haven’t set aside nearly enough money to fund their retirements. Next on the list is the regular drumbeat from critics that the Social Security system is running out of money and won’t be able to honor its current promises to people nearing retirement. Perhaps the third stake in the heart of retirement is that people are living longer and longer, raising legitimate fears they will outlive their money. Read the rest of this entry »

MANILA, Philippines – Retirees may be past the days of resolving to work out more. Yet when it comes to money in particular, resolutions may be even more important for those living on fixed income. From financial nuts and bolts to more holistic aims, here’s a look at seven worthy resolutions for retirees to commit to in 2012: Read the rest of this entry »

RETIREMENT tourism is expected to double in the next five years as a foreign business group pushes for integrated destination management ahead of the Tourism department’s medium-term development plan due next year, an official said yesterday at a forum. Read the rest of this entry »

The more you age, the more you should exercise. This is the gist of fitness professional and former Inquirer Lifestyle columnist Tina Juan’s message to the country’s growing number of senior citizens in their 60s, 70s and even 80s. Read the rest of this entry »

MANILA, Philippines – The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has directed all distribution utilities (DUs) to submit reports on discounts given to senior citizens. Read the rest of this entry »

THE United Nations estimates that 60 percent of the world’s population aged 65 and above will reside in Asia by 2050 that will increase market demand for quality healthcare. Read the rest of this entry »

It is a jarring feeling to watch an old woman, hand extended, begging for alms on a busy street—this, in a society that has traditionally held elderly persons in high regard. A few weeks ago, the malls celebrated Grandparents’ Day—replete with glowing photos in the papers. Not to be outdone, the Philippine government has declared the first week of October the “week of the elderly” with activities lined up for each day. This picture however does not jibe with the number of bills filed in Congress specifically aimed at preventing the abuse of the elderly. Is legislation the answer? Read the rest of this entry »

According to a recent ILO study, 2 billion people will be aged 60 or over by 2050. While most discussions about population ageing turn around the sustainability of pension systems, a forthcoming ILO meeting to be held in Geneva on 21-22 September, will focus on the impact of the greying of societies on labour supply in the retail commerce sector, an industry that has traditionally drawn a large proportion of its workers from people aged 30 and under. ILO Online spoke with John Sendanyoye, the ILO’s Commerce Sector Specialist. Read the rest of this entry »

Amid reports that in claiming for discounts some senior citizens still insist on showing identification cards issued by associations, the Department of Social Welfare and Development reminded them that only ID cards from the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCAs) will be honored. Read the rest of this entry »