TASK 2:
ESSAY INFORMATION:
Written by: IELTS I-Ready, 13/5/2024
Marked by: Ex-BC Examiner
(IELTS Academic – 11/5/2024)
Question: In many countries today the retirement age from work has been raised. Do the advantages of raising the retirement age from work outweigh the disadvantages?
ANSWER:
In several contemporary societies, there has been a notable increase in the age at which individuals retire from their jobs. I believe the demerits regarding heightened youth unemployment and health concerns of older workers overshadow the merit of financial independence.
The foremost problem associated with a higher retirement age is decreased job opportunities for younger employees. Due to a longer incumbency of the older counterparts, there will be fewer positions available for newcomers, hindering their ability to secure substantial employment and advance in their careers. For example, the prolonged presence of an experienced financial professional may limit recent graduates to obtain a job related to their major and develop relevant skills for career advancements.
Another conspicuous concern is the health challenges faced by old people. Ageing is often associated with many physical and mental challenges such as osteoarthritis or Alzheimer’s, rendering them less efficient at performing occupational duties compared to their younger counterparts. Particularly, numerous physically demanding jobs such as farming or trade are regarded as overwhelming for the elderly.
However, one principal benefit of the decision to extend retirement age is that older workers can ensure their financial stability. With increasing life expectancies and the growing financial strain of healthcare costs, senior people who rely solely on pension funds and the welfare system may struggle to maintain a decent quality of life. In contrast, the extension of working years may allow them to accumulate more savings, reducing their reliance on government welfare programs during retirement.
In conclusion, while raising the retirement age offers an advantage of promoting financial autonomy, it also presents significant disadvantages, including potential impacts on youth employment and the health of older workers. Therefore, I contend that the detrimental impacts prevail over the beneficial ones. (289 words)
Highlight Vocabulary:
| English | Vietnamese |
| Notable | Đáng chú ý |
| Incumbency | Đương nhiệm |
| Counterparts | Đối tác |
| Conspicuous | Dễ nhận thấy |
| Osteoarthritis | Viêm xương khớp |
| Life expectancies | Tuổi thọ |
