No need to work longer: Labor

Labor has rejected federal government calls for Australians to work longer, saying superannuation reform is key to a decent retirement.

Joe Hockey on Thursday released the latest intergenerational report, which says Australians will live longer and be healthier over the next 40 years.

But the treasurer says they will have to be prepared to work well beyond 65 if they want to maintain their standard of living.

Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen dismissed the report as a "highly political document" and a missed opportunity.

"His report contains eight pages on the future and 80 pages on the past," he told reporters in Canberra.

Mr Bowen rejected suggestions Australians should work longer.

"Why should Australian bricklayers, carpenters, policemen, nurses, soldiers have to work until they're 70?" he said.

"I don't think Australians should have to work the longest working life in the OECD."

Instead, the government needed to encourage retirement savings, something the coalition had failed to do by slowing down the rate of increase in the superannuation guarantee, removing the tax concessions for low-income earners and refusing to deal with equity in the superannuation system.