Living to 100 and Beyond: Implications of Longer Life Spans

Abstract

Life spans have increased remarkably in the last century. There is substantial disagreement and uncertainty among researchers today about the future course of mortality in the developed countries. Will we continue to live ever-longer lives, or is the human life span headed toward a biological upper limit? The answer to this question has important implications for the elderly, their spouses and children, businesses, and our society as a whole. Continued growth in life expectancy with good health would extend our ability to enjoy all the things we cherish.

Simultaneously, this growth would increase our need to prepare carefully for some unexpected challenges. Among these challenges is a greater need by individuals to save for retirement and to prepare for the possibility of becoming dependent upon family members and others for one’s care. Businesses will enjoy access to experienced workers and expanding markets among the elderly, while they also will try to control the post employment costs that longer life spans will generate. Finally, governments will struggle to manage competing interests as the financial needs of the elderly are weighed against other societal obligations.