For this discussion essay, ensure you dedicate a distinct body paragraph to each side of the argument: one for raising the retirement age and another for earlier retirement. Avoid the common pitfall of heavily favoring one side throughout the essay before the conclusion, as this undermines the 'discuss both views' requirement.

When discussing raising the retirement age, consider arguments like the fiscal strain on national pension schemes due to increased life expectancy, as seen in countries like Japan or Germany. For earlier retirement, you could mention the need to create job opportunities for younger generations or the potential for older workers to contribute to society in new ways post-retirement.

A frequent error on this question is failing to adequately connect the premise of 'living much longer' to the arguments for raising the retirement age. Students often jump directly into economic arguments without explicitly linking them to demographic shifts, so ensure you establish this causal relationship clearly in your first body paragraph.

To transition smoothly between discussing the two opposing views, use phrases like 'Conversely,' 'On the other hand,' or 'While the aforementioned arguments advocate for a later retirement, proponents of earlier retirement contend that...' This clearly signals to the examiner that you are shifting focus to the alternative perspective.

For a band 8-9, examiners look for a nuanced discussion that explores the socio-economic implications of both views, not just stating them. This includes demonstrating an understanding of concepts like demographic shifts, fiscal sustainability of pension systems, and intergenerational equity, all while maintaining a consistent and well-supported personal opinion.