On 07-Dec-08 2:11, Darren New wrote:
> somebody wrote:
>> It would be a miracle if 65, which happens to be the present 
>> retirement age,
> 
> In the US social security system (which started paying out at age 65 
> when it first started), the age 65 was chosen as the age by which about 
> half the people owed money would die.  

Somewhere in my memory something is suggesting that it started in 
Germany, but you may be right.

> It's far from an ideal age for anything except saving tax money.

It is also (or should be, perhaps) about striking a balance between 
those who work and those who don't. Here in the Netherlands they are 
going to change the retirement age slowly. I think for me it would be 
around 66. SO I am halfway in my professional life. 20 done 20 to go.

BTW as you probably have understood from our previous interactions, I 
don't pretend to know what the right age for retirement is, nor the 
right lifespan for that matter. I simply object to the simplistic view 
that because (almost) everyone wants to life forever that would be the 
ideal lifespan for everybody. I haven't seen any argument that would 
change my mind that a maximum age around 100 would be better for the 
society as a whole and the future of mankind. OTOH I don't think I have 
convinced anybody of my POV. If I made anybody (re)think about how long 
life might change the social interaction I am happy.

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