Economics of Ageing

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website.

The subject examines the influence of private and public/government decision-making on the economic well-being of older people. These decisions include private decisions to prepare for old-age and to live through old-age by saving and managing assets such as housing, superannuation, annuities and other assets and government decisions to provide income support, health care and regulations that aim to protect old people. The influence of behavioural biases, as uncovered by behavioural economics, will be discussed. The subject also covers how an ageing population exerts upward pressure on the taxation required to finance government activities and services for the aged and how this may affect the ‘social contract’, in which the young assist the old in expectation of assistance when they are old from succeeding generations.

On completion of this subject, students will be able to:

• Analyse how people can make rational decisions to prepare for and live through old age/retirement.
• Critically evaluate government policies that address the economic implications of population ageing, including health, disability, housing and employment.
• Recognise and assess the impact of the prospective fiscal pressure from an ageing population on the future of the welfare state.
• Develop an evidence-based argument outlining a set of recommendations for an economic policy.

• Weekly contributions to Online Discussions (10%)
• Four online Quizzes each worth 5% at approximately two-week intervals (20%)
• A 1,500 word assignment that involves collecting information and performing critical analysis to support an evidence-based argument due Mid Term (20%)
• A final open-book examination at the end of Term (50%)

Students will have access to electronic copies of relevant readings.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students will be provided with the opportunity to practice and reinforce:

• Develop comparative policy analysis and research skills.
• High level written communication skills.
• Create and advance persuasive arguments on a given topic.
• Demonstrate problem solving skills.