As average life expectancy continues to rise in most countries around the world, retirement ages often remain anchored to standards set decades ago, placing pension systems under severe strain while younger generations bear an increasingly heavy burden of supporting the elderly. However, mandatorily delaying retirement could also squeeze job opportunities for youth and overlook health disparities among manual laborers. Between extending working years and ensuring intergenerational equity, which side should take precedence in policy-making? Please draw on examples from specific countries to articulate your stance and justify your reasoning.
