FROM THE CEO
By the time you read this the country will be in the grip of election fever – or maybe election fatigue for some of us! I was fascinated to read our election special (p27) and discover how the leaders of the UK’s three main parties are planning to help the Saga generation – the voters who consistently turn out at the ballot box and whose X the politicians rely on to win power.
How to enhance the lives of older people is also, of course, at the front and centre of my mind as Saga CEO and not just when an election is due. One of the best things about my job has been meeting customers – not turning up on your doorstep like the politicians, you may be relieved to hear, but in focus groups or on our cruise ships and in our hotels, hearing first-hand about your hopes, aspirations and priorities.
I have to say that what I’ve discovered doesn’t always match what the politicians say. At 51, I am at the younger end of the Saga demographic, and I find myself thinking more and more about how we can make life easier for my parents’ generation, but also about what the future holds for my children and their peers. It’s good news that all parties have pledged to keep the pensions triple lock; it’s an unfair myth that all pensioners are a wealthy bunch. But how do we balance that with the needs of the younger generation who as a demographic will be much worse off than previous generations were?
Politicians seem to assume that older people vote with their own interests at heart, but I’d challenge that belief. A survey by Saga for a previous election found that only one in ten customers put the needs of their own generation first when voting, whereas 60% said their most important consideration was the community as a whole. This should surprise no one. At Saga, our research has found that older people understand the importance of intergenerational co-operation, of community, and a society that respects the values and contributions of all ages. I think that wisdom comes directly from age and life experience.
There is so much to think about, and I’m really keen to know your thoughts on this and anything else on your mind. Saga exists to understand the needs of o
