Understanding the limits to longevity

The Watson Wyatt Lectures 2005

Wednesday, 12 January, 2005

Two distinguished academics, Professors Jay Olshansky and  James Vaupel, are to deliver 2005 Watson Wyatt lectures. The two lectures will present differing views on the limits to human life expectancy, hence highlighting the uncertainty around future mortality prospects.

Both lectures will be held at Cass Business School, City University. Professor Olshansky’s lecture, “Will Human Life Expectancy Decline in the 21st Century?” is on the evening of Feb 2. Professor Vaupel’s lecture on “Broken Limits to Life Expectancy” follows on Wednesday, March 23. Adair Turner, chairman of the Pension Commission, will provide commentary at both lectures.

"We are extremely pleased that two of the top experts in the world on longevity have agreed to deliver the 2005 Watson Wyatt lectures," said Mike Orszag, head of research at Watson Wyatt. "The differing views these scholars hold about future longevity prospects will highlight the degree of uncertainty over future mortality prospects.”
 
These lectures are the 7th and 8th Watson Wyatt lectures held in conjunction with City University, as part of Watson Wyatt’s longstanding ties with the actuarial science group at Cass Business School. Said Steve Haberman, deputy dean of Cass Business School: “This year’s lectures are part of a broader collaboration with Watson Wyatt on mortality-related topics. In addition to the lectures, we are also once again doing a joint research workshop with Watson Wyatt on April 18th and an international mortality project at Cass is part-funded by Watson Wyatt.”
 
There is no charge for admittance at either Watson Wyatt lecture, but those wishing to attend should contact Marilyn Parris (m.v.parris@city.ac.uk, +44 (0) 20 7040 8470).