Heidi Karjalainen

Heidi Karjalainen, a senior research economist, reveals that nearly 22% of pensioners in the UK are millionaires, while also highlighting the ongoing challenges of pensioner poverty. John Jerrim shares insights on education, explaining how England has improved in PISA rankings, raising questions about methodological fairness. Cassia Rowland addresses the looming crisis in UK prisons, detailing overcrowding and emergency policies. Meanwhile, Friederike Otto discusses the realities of climate change, showing how UK weather patterns are becoming increasingly erratic.

Heidi Karjalainen, a pensions and welfare policy economist, and Jonathan Cribb, a pensions and labour markets researcher, explore rising state pension age and its effects. They discuss what the pension age means in practice. They examine who can and cannot work into their late 60s, how private pensions and health shape retirement, and whether a single pension age makes sense for everyone.

Heidi Karjalainen, an IFS researcher on ageing and pension design, and Jonathan Cribb, an IFS pensions and intergenerational economics analyst. They unpack how pensioner incomes and wealth have shifted, what drives retirement income today, and which groups still struggle. They also consider how housing, private pensions and policy choices shape future retirees’ prospects.