Here we look at the average age of the scheme’s membership and what the trend is. The average age of the principal members of the schemes AWM assessed in their 2006 mid-year review was 45. This statistic means that more than 50% of all medical aid members are either within 15 years of retirement, or already retired.

Older members claim more and if the average age of a medical scheme’s membership continues to age, the warning lights go on. Open Schemes had a 5.9% pension ratio (beneficiaries who were 65 years or older on 31st December 2006) on average.