LettersRaise Hong Kong retirement age to benefit able elderly and public funds alike

I refer to the report, “Hong Kong retirement age must rise or legislation may be needed, Elderly Commission chief says” (February 17). I agree with the view that the retirement age should be raised. Hong Kong is facing a serious manpower shortage, as the number of elderly is rising, while the birth rate is decreasing steeply. Increasing the retirement age will help to ease this manpower crunch.

This would not only keep experienced workers in the job, but also reduce some government expenditure on elderly health care. If people over 60 were assured of a regular income, they would not feel the need to apply for old age social welfare to support themselves.

The government can use the money saved in other ways, such as increasing the expenditure on medical equipment or staffing for public hospitals, which will benefit more residents.