Taking a pay cut in your 30s could put you at risk of memory loss and poor brain function in middle age, research suggests. Scientists assessed how changes in salary affected the brain health of more than 3,000 US adults. The 20-year study began in 1990, and followed the participants through the Great Recession, a period of economic instability across the world. Results showed volunteers whose pay had been slashed at least once over the two decades performed worse on cognitive tests. The French researchers claim the impact of a pay cut on brain health was three times greater than that of one year of natural ageing.

In an effort to stay relevant, Galaxy's Australian Futures Survey reveals proactive workers have: The future of work is a hot-button topic being tackled by the #WTFAustralia campaign, which aims to start a conversation about the big issues and encourage problem solvers to share their ideas. Readers can join in tomorrow on the What's the Future, Australia? You can ask an expert for advice if you're concerned or there's a chance to win $500 just by sharing your ideas on the issue. Social analyst David Chalke said whether new technology should be a source of worry or excitement for workers depended on their situation. "If you are 50-plus, tired, low paid and low skilled, you should be terrified because the jobs for you in the future are not going to be there, they will be automated," he said.