Read an extract from the magazine ‘Changing Times’ on "active aging".

Before reading, check you know the meaning of some of the words in the article.

People in developed countries are living longer. In 2005 in the U.S. the average lifespan was 77.6 years, this compares to 54 years in 1920 and just 34 years in 1780. By 2050 it is estimated that the average lifespan will be in the mid 80’s. By 2025 in developed countries the share of the population over 60 will be 26%.

This increasing longevity is starting to impact on public finances, economic growth and general living standards. This impact is greater in countries with low employment rates, such as countries in the European Union, Italy would be a good example. As baby boomers (those born from 1946-1960) reach retirement age there is increasing pressure on social security systems and public funds for retirement and health care expenses. Economists are increasingly questioning the sustainability of the European social model with its current high welfare standards.

‘Active aging’ is now being advanced by policy experts. The current division of life into three cycles: education, employment and retirement should be changed. According to these experts governments need to remove barriers that prevent older people from continuing to work and should extend the average working life. Schemes for lifelong learning need to be established to keep the ageing workforce equipped with up-to-date job skills.

The U.S. agricultural firm Monsanto is encouraging the government to allow it to introduce ‘phased retirement’ for its workforce. Back in 1991 the company set up a Resource Re-entry Centre (RRC). Monsanto found it difficult to hire qualified temporary administrative assistants. Through the RRC it began to offer this work to retired administrative workers. The Centre now sources human resources amongst its retired workforce for a diverse range of projects. In so doing the company retains the skills, knowledge and social networks of its workers. Much of the work is project based and highly flexible. Over 60% of the projects are given to workers over 60. A key feature of the scheme is workers’ access to cost-effective computer based training to maintain and update job skills. the Centre strives to educate company managers regarding the cost efficiency and quality of the work achieved by the service.

Re order the words in these sentences to sum up some of the main points of the article.