Well I certainly agree that this job wears you down but I don't think 60 is a realistic retirement age.
Not sure I get your point about retiring at 55 and life expectancy?
Some carriers have a retirement age of 55 because by that time there can be no further improvement in the pension fund so the individual may as well retire and enjoy it. Many, of course, go off and get contracts with other operators.
The study I am most familiar with was done by a well respected Specialist in Aviation Medicine and AME who has his rooms in Sloane Square, London. He may not appreciate it if I print his name here though! There are several other studies that have been done on both sides of the Atlantic by those wanting to get the age back to 65, (where it started in UK), not aware of any studies having been done by the anti-over 60 pilots lobby though.
On this thorny subject I shall just beg to differ
