2025 Taskforce chairman Don Brash wants a start made in increasing the age at which people are entitled to a pension.
The former National Party leader suggested changes to the pension age at a conference on retirement savings on Wednesday.
Dr Brash told Morning Report that the proportion of people over the age of 65 will more than double in the next 20 to 30 years and it will be neccessary to increase the age at which they can receive a pension.
He said one way of doing this would be to give people the option of retiring later in return for a higher pension.
The current pension entitlement age is 65 years.
Options must be explored, say researchers
The Retirement Policy and Research Centre at Auckland University co-director Michael Littlewood says politicians have to stop being terrified of changing national superannuation.
Mr Littlewood says that in 30 years' time, superannuation will cost the country $1 in every $12 of the economy's output.
Canterbury University retirement policy researcher Lisa Marriott says there will be two taxpayers for every one retired person in about 25 years, so it is fiscally irresponsible to refuse to look at options.
Dr Brash's suggestion has merit, she says.
