For many economists, ageing continues to be looked at through the twin lens of retirement savings/incomes and health services/costs. This approach drives from a narrow perspective of the economy – with people being servants of the economic masters. That is, people are mere cogs in the wheels of the machinery producing widgets, or are buyers demanding more and widgets to consume.

This provides a frame for a predominantly negative narrative for ageing – one of impending burdens, or increasing dependency, that individuals must confront and communities must bear.

However, a broader perspective of the economy allows for a richer narrative for ageing. Such a narrative could begin with asking: when does ageing start? Or, what is the trigger point? Or, what if ageing is an event that continues over the course of an individual’s life? Or indeed, as a collection of events that continue to occur simultaneously across the numerous generations that make up our communities?

So, what does such a broader economic perspective look like? And, how can researchers, policy advisors, and economists enable and encourage such a broader perspective and a richer narrative?

In a nutshell, how can ageing well and the economy prosper together?