politicians today. By 2011 seniors will make up 11.3 percent of the population -- more than double the 1991 figure -- putting a big burden on the work force to pay for them. How will Bermuda cope? In the Focus on Seniors series running this week Matthew Taylor also looks at health care costs, pensioners in poverty, and abuse of seniors.

Shadow Social Services Minister Kim Young has called for the retirement age to be raised to 70 to cope with rising costs of caring for the elderly.

She said radical action would be needed as Bermuda's elderly population was growing while the work force was shrinking, although she said there was no need for immediate action.

"It's going to be the number one issue of the next generation -- what are they going to do with grandma and grandpa? "It has all sorts of ramifications.

"Because there are fewer children being born due to people opting for smaller families there will be fewer people to do the work to pay the taxes for a larger group of older people.

"People are living longer, remedies will be discovered for things that used to kill people.

"We will have to think about raising the mandatory retirement age because people are healthier and able -- and because you are going to need them in the work force.

"I think we will end up having to increase the retirement age to 70 for those medically fit.'' She said Government, which has a mandatory retirement age of 65, could raise the retirement age and private companies would follow suit.

And Mrs. Young said the move would be welcomed in some quarters.

She said: "We have that block of people who can work and want to work. You could have early retirement at 65 and retirement at 70, you have the option and it will affect what pension you get.

"You look at people at 65 today -- they are healthy and able. Why should they not be able to work? Some of them go into second careers at 65.

"I am calling for "five more years.'' It might be unpopular but we might need to do that to make sure we have enough bodies in the work force.

"I am not talking about tomorrow. I am talking about 20 years time, when it becomes critical.'' Age Concern chairwoman Joy Leman said the charity was looking at the issue.

She said: "Some companies you will find people past 65.

"I think it depends on the circumstances and the situation, but there is a wealth of knowledge in our senior citizens so this is something which should be considered by any company.'' Age Concern's Executive Director Claudette Fleming said it was not mandatory for private sector workers to retire at 65 but most did.

She said: "It's something we do need to start looking at in terms of space as well.

"How many workers can we continue to bring in as opposed to how much resources we already have can we utilise? "`We are asking people to retire and then we still have jobs that need to be filled. That's not making a whole lot of sense.

"And, on top of that, you've got people who want to work because they need the money for retirement.

"On a broad scale it needs to be addressed.'' Former Government minister Sir John Plowman pointed out there were difficulties with increasing retirement. He said: "If people want to retire they should be free to do so, the problem comes when people reach the age of compulsory retirement but they may need to work late.

Retirement age should be raised -- MP "We have two problems. One is of people needing to work later. But the question is will there be work for everyone? There may not be jobs for them.

"It's a tough one to deal with.

"The demand for non skilled labour is rapidly reducing. The demand for people is getting less and less.

"It's the greatest problem we face in the 21st century. I don't think it's that much different in Bermuda than the rest of the world.

"Life is totally different than it was 50 years ago. The problem isn't peculiar to Bermuda but it's accentuated here.

"One of the curious things is younger people are working longer hours than they ever did under more intensive continuing effects.

"According to responsible newspapers there is a great tendency for them to be burnt out by the time they are 35 or 40. Is that a sensible way to go about it? "Is it necessary for a person to be on the go until 8 p.m. at night? "Could that not be spread around? Could not more people be able to get involved in the workplace? "Hopefully private business will see the need for it and act accordingly.

"If it doesn't happen there will be a lot of unrest. If a considerable part of the workforce is not employed it could cause trouble.'' Geriatric specialist Dr. Khin Myint said it was important seniors eased themselves into retirement and he said part-time work might help people make the adjustment.

He said: "If you are losing a job when you are still capable that is going to hit you hard.

"You can hit 65 and still feel exactly the same as you were. But you have to go -- go and do nothing.

"But if I want to carry on with my job that means I am getting in the way of people who want to come and take my place.

"So what we would really like to see is that each and everyone can contribute according to the knowledge and expertise.

"You should keep people occupied according to capacity rather than age.

People must have a choice.

"You need pre-retirement counselling so you get channelled in the right direction.

"The worst enemy is the loneliness leading to depression leading to immobility and other complications.

"That's why I teach computers. If people are capable they can get into e-commerce and work from home.

Health Minister Nelson Bascome said: "It's encouraged by this department that people continue doing the things which they are able to do.

"We have found individuals who continue to be a part of active life they enjoy life a lot longer.

"It's encouraged that people maintain some type of employment.'' The elderly are the fastest growing segment of the Island's population: Year Number Percent of of seniors population 1991 5,342 5.6% 1999 6,296 10.2% 2011 7,323 11.3% Kim Young