July 2026

How Americans Are Thinking About Aging: For older adults, income largely shapes the aging experience

By Luona Lin & Juliana Menasce Horowitz The U.S. population is aging rapidly. From 2004 to 2024, the share of Americans ages 65 and older increased from 12.4% to 18.0%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This is due in part to the country’s declining birth rate and increased life expectancy, but also because Baby Boomers – whose generation is defined by the increase of births in the U.S. following World War II – are now well into their 60s and 70s. This research is part of...

The Longevity Economy Outlook 2026: How adults age 50 and older are reshaping work, spending and the future of the U.S. economy

By AARP The AARP Longevity Economy Outlook 2026, developed by Economist Enterprise, explores the wide-ranging impacts of the 50-plus population in the U.S., measuring the size and scope of their economic activities and societal contributions. As people live longer and healthier lives, they are contributing to communities and fueling economic growth well past the traditional retirement age. The contributions of people 50-plus generate trillions of dollars of U.S. GDP, account for a major share of consumer spending, support tens of millions...

Artificial Intelligence in Elderly Care: Navigating Ethical and Responsible AI Adoption for Seniors

By David Mhlanga This paper delves into the critical intersection of ageing and the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence (AI). This exploration is anchored in the recognition of the unique potential that AI holds for enhancing the lives of seniors, while also acknowledging the complex ethical and practical challenges that accompany its adoption in elder care. The paper comprehensively examines how AI can revolutionize healthcare, assistive technologies, and social engagement for the elderly, offering solutions that promise increased independence,...

June 2026

LGBT+ Older Adults Report Higher Rates of Loneliness and Other Adverse Social Determinants of Health

By Jace Flatt, Joel Anderson, Ethan Cicero, Jalal Uddin & Erin Rook While loneliness tends to decline with age, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and additional identity (LGBT+) older adults face heightened risks of loneliness and adverse social determinants of health (SDoH). We examined data from 33 U.S. states and 2 territories from the 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System that included optional SDoH and sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) modules. The sample included adults aged 65+ (mean:73.5 years, range:65-80+) who identified as a LGBT+ (n = 2356)...

April 2026

The Welfare Effects of Protecting Older Workers

By Todd Morris, Stefan Staubli & Benoit Dostie We evaluate the welfare effects of five provincial mandatory retirement bans in Canada from 2005 to 2009 using linked employer-employee tax data. The bans sharply reduce retirements at age 65, with sizable announcement effects and heterogeneity across industries. Post-65 employment and earnings rise at least 14%, with gains comparable to a two-year increase in pension-eligibility ages. Older workers save more and spouses postpone retirement, benefiting public finances, with no observable effects on...

March 2026

Challenges of the Power of the New Longevity: Age Discrimination in the Workplace, and More, in Argentina

By Virginia Marturet Life expectancy has significantly increased, reaching an average of 77 years in Argentina. The current challenge is to enhance the quality of those years. Age discrimination is the third leading cause of discrimination worldwide and is prevalent in Argentina, particularly in workplaces, society, and daily life. Our current challenge is to make those years a life with more quality and fullness. What is the power of all that we have gained and how do we take advantage...

The Real Fertility Crisis 2025: The pursuit of reproductive agency in a changing world

By UNFPA Millions of people around the world are unable to have the number of children they want – whether they want more, fewer, or none at all. Recently, fertility declines are making headlines, with women all too often blamed for these demographic shifts. Some governments are employing drastic measures to incentivize young people to make fertility decisions in line with national targets. But the real crisis is that the most consequential reproductive decision a human being can make – when, whether...

February 2026

Population Aging and Pension Reforms in China

By Boele Bonthuis, Yongquan Cao & Christoph Freudenberg China is experiencing rapid population aging and a declining workforce, posing significant economic and fiscal challenges, especially to the pension system. This paper examines the evolution of China’s pension system, assesses its gaps relative to international peers, and evaluates the macro-fiscal implications of population aging and various pension reforms. Using a calibrated overlapping generations model that explicitly incorporates the rural–urban disparities, we project that population aging alone can slow annual GDP growth by...

January 2026

Population Aging and Corporate Leverage

By Xingshen Li, Kexin Jiang, Wei Li & Xiaofen Tan This study examines the relationship between corporate leverage and population aging. Based on a panel dataset of global listed firms from 2000 to 2021, we find that population aging at the country level reduces a firm’s leverage. This effect is mediated through mechanisms that influence operational pressures and asset prices. Further analysis reveals that the adverse impact of population aging on corporate leverage is more pronounced among firms with higher financial...

The future of public pension provision in the UK: challenges and trade-offs

By Jonathan Cribb , Carl Emmerson & Heidi Karjalainen The UK state pension system faces significant challenges given the country’s ageing population, but at the same time it is crucial for retirement finances: state pensions make up on average almost half of income for recently retired households. Reforms coming into force in 2010 and 2016 have increased universality, and most future pensioners will receive a full (flat rate) state pension. Policy-makers seeking to limit the cost of the system have...