Aging Nation : The Economics and Politics of Growing Older in America

With the impending retirement of some 76 million Baby Boomers, understanding the economic, political, and social issues related to the aging population is paramount. If the doom-and-gloomers have their way, the elderly will be put out to pasture, with inadequate health care and financial resources, and a crumbling social welfare system. In Aging Nation, renowed experts in the field, James Schulz and Robert Binstock, agree that there is considerable cause for concern, but with a variety of sound policies and programs in place and smart individual choices, the elderly can prosper, and a demographic tsunami is not inevitable. Drawing from the most current data, the authors provide in-depth analysis of the nation's evolving private and public policies on retirement, faltering employer pensions, health care, workplace conditions, and entitlement programs, and consider such timely issues as poverty among the elderly, rejoining the workforce after retirement, Social Security and health care reform, and the rise of the elderly as a powerful political force. Dispelling popular myths and misconceptions that are perpetrated by politicians and pundits alike, they provide a comprehensive and balanced assessment of the issues and their impact on everyone, old and young.Deserving poor or greedy geezers? The debate rages on. In a period of huge government deficits and the impending retirement of some 76 million Baby Boomers, understanding the economic, political, and social issues related to the aging population is paramount. The policy debates have never been more contentious; they range from deciding who should receive limited subsidized housing and medical services to the ongoing battle over saving Social Security and other entitlement programs. If the doom-and-gloomers have their way, the elderly will be put out to pasture, with inadequate health care and financial resources, and a crumbling social welfare infrastructure that will implode under the strain of intergenerational conflict. This book debunks most aging crises put forth by merchants of doom and offers a new policy focus for our nation.In Aging Nation, renowned experts in the field, James Schulz and Robert Binstock, agree that there is considerable cause for concern, but with a variety of sound policies and programs in place and smart individual choices, the elderly can prosper, and a demographic tsunami is not inevitable. Drawing from the most current data, the authors provide in-depth analysis of the nation's evolving private and public policies on retirement, faltering employer pensions, health care, workplace conditions, and entitlement programs, and consider such timely issues as poverty among the elderly, rejoining the workforce after retirement, Social Security and health care reform, and the rise of the elderly as a powerful political force. Dispelling popular myths and misconceptions that are perpetrated by politicians and pundits alike, they provide a comprehensive and balanced assessment of these issues and their impact on everyone, old and young. Deserving Poor Or Greedy Geezers? The Debate Rages On. In A Period Of Huge Government Deficits And The Impending Retirement Of Some 76 Million Baby Boomers, Understanding The Economic, Political, And Social Issues Related To The Aging Population Is Paramount. The Policy Debates Have Never Been More Contentious; They Range From Deciding Who Should Receive Limited Subsidized Housing And Medical Services To The Ongoing Battle Over Saving Social Security And Other Entitlement Programs. If The Doom-and-gloomers Have Their Way, The Elderly Will Be Put Out To Pasture, With Inadequate Health Care And Financial Resources, And A Crumbling Social Welfare Infrastructure That Will Implode Under The Strain Of Intergenerational Conflict. This Book Debunks Most Aging Crises Put Forth By Merchants Of Doom And Offers A New Policy Focus For Our Nation. In Aging Nation, Renowned Experts In The Field, James Schulz And Robert Binstock, Agree That There Is Considerable Cause For Concern, But With A Variety Of Sound Policies And Programs In Place And Smart Individual Choices, The Elderly Can Prosper, And A Demographic Tsunami Is Not Inevitable. Drawing From The Most Current Data, The Authors Provide In-depth Analysis Of The Nation's Evolving Private And Public Policies On Retirement, Faltering Employer Pensions, Health Care, Workplace Conditions, And Entitlement Programs, And Consider Such Timely Issues As Poverty Among The Elderly, Rejoining The Workforce After Retirement, Social Security And Health Care Reform, And The Rise Of The Elderly As A Powerful Political Force. Dispelling Popular Myths And Misconceptions That Are Perpetrated By Politicians And Pundits Alike, They Provide A Comprehensive And Balanced Assessment Of These Issues And Their Impact On Everyone, Old And Young. Baby Boomers And The Merchants Of Doom -- The Phony Threat Of Population Aging -- The Search For Security With Dignity -- Dealing With Risk -- The Company Pension: Altruism Or Self-interest? -- The Pension Lottery: Personal Pension Accounts -- To Work Or Not To Work: That Is The Question -- Health And Longevity: What Lies Ahead? -- A Gerontocracy? The Politics Of Aging -- Framing The Issues For An Aging Nation. James H. Schulz And Robert H. Binstock. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [237]-269) And Index. CONTENTS......Page 6 Preface......Page 8 1. Baby Boomers and the Merchants of Doom......Page 12 2. The Phony Threat of Population Aging......Page 36 3. The Search for Security with Dignity......Page 54 4. Dealing with Risk......Page 76 5. The Company Pension: Altruism or Self-Interest?......Page 98 6. The Pension Lottery: Personal Pension Accounts......Page 122 7. To Work or Not to Work: That Is the Question......Page 148 8. Health and Longevity: What Lies Ahead?......Page 182 9. A Gerontocracy? The Politics of Aging......Page 212 10. Framing the Issues for an Aging Nation......Page 234 Notes......Page 248 Index......Page 282