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

by James H. Schulz, Robert H. Binstock

Overview

With the impending retirement of some 76 million baby boomers in a period of huge government deficits, public anxiety about the social and economic health of an aging nation is widespread. The policy debates are contentious—from deciding who should receive limited subsidized housing and medical services to the ongoing battle over "saving" Social Security and other entitlement programs. Some policy makers and pundits forecast disaster: elderly people will be put out to pasture with inadequate health care and financial resources, and a crumbling social welfare infrastructure will implode under the strain of intergenerational conflict.

In Aging Nation, renowned experts James H. Schulz and Robert H. Binstock agree that there is considerable cause for concern but insist that a demographic tsunami is not inevitable. Drawing from the most current data, the authors provide an in-depth analysis of the nation's evolving private and public policies on retirement, faltering employer pensions, health care, workplace conditions, and entitlement programs. They consider such timely issues as poverty among older people, rejoining the workforce after retirement, Social Security and health care reform, as well as the rise of elderly people as a powerful political force.

Dispelling popular myths and misconceptions perpetrated by politicians and pundits, Schulz and Binstock consider the economic, political, and social challenges arising from the aging U.S. population, and present a balanced—and reassuring—assessment of the future.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801888649
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	05/15/2008
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

James H. Schulz is a professor emeritus of economics at Brandeis University and the former president of the Gerontological Society of America. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Kleemier Award for outstanding research in the field of aging.

Robert H. Binstock (1935–2011) was, at the time of his death, a professor of aging, health, and society at Case Western Reserve University, where he taught in the public health program and also in the departments of medicine, epidemiology and biostatistics, bioethics, and in the School of Nursing and the College of Arts and Sciences.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Paperback Edition
1. Baby Boomers and the Merchants of Doom
2. The Phony Threat of Population Aging
3. The Search for Security with Dignity
4. Dealing with Risk
5. The Company Pension: Altruism or Self-Interest?
6. The Pension Lottery: Personal Pension Accounts
7. To Work or Not to Work: That Is the Question
8. Health and Longevity: What Lies Ahead?
9. A Gerontocracy? The Politics of Aging
10. Framing the Issues for an Aging Nation
Notes
Index

What People are Saying About This

Marilyn Moon

"It is gratifying to see two such prestigious observers of aging issues put forward a clear analysis of the aging 'crisis' in the United States. This book is an antidote to the ceaseless drumbeat of doom and selfishness coming from those who would dismantle our key sources of retirement security in the United States. Schulz and Binstock are recognized experts in the field of aging whose counsel should put to rest the claims that we cannot and should not rely on shared public programs for our future. They offer real solutions, not just sloganeering on an issue that should concern all Americans."

—

Marilyn Moon, Vice President and Director of the Health Program, American Institutes for Research, Former Trustee of the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds

Marilyn Moon

"It is gratifying to see two such prestigious observers of aging issues put forward a clear analysis of the aging 'crisis' in the United States. This book is an antidote to the ceaseless drumbeat of doom and selfishness coming from those who would dismantle our key sources of retirement security in the United States. Schulz and Binstock are recognized experts in the field of aging whose counsel should put to rest the claims that we cannot and should not rely on shared public programs for our future. They offer real solutions, not just sloganeering on an issue that should concern all Americans."

Dr. Robert Butler

"Aging Nation is a solid corrective thwack against conventional (and often false) wisdom, propagated by the doomsters, about the perils of a nation living longer. Take notes for your own protection."

From the Publisher

It is gratifying to see two such prestigious observers of aging issues put forward a clear analysis of the aging 'crisis' in the United States. This book is an antidote to the ceaseless drumbeat of doom and selfishness coming from those who would dismantle our key sources of retirement security.
—Marilyn Moon, Vice President and Director of the Health Program, American Institutes for Research

A must read for the general public, politicians, pundits, and anyone who cares about growing old in the United States. Schulz and Binstock provide expert the analysis, balanced viewpoints, and historical overview essential for countering alarmist scenarios and promoting reasonable public policy and discourse.
—Fernando M. Torres-Gil, School of Public Policy, University of California, Los Angeles, former U.S. Assistant Secretary for Aging

A solid corrective thwack against conventional (and often false) wisdom, propagated by doomsters, about the perils of a nation living longer. Take notes for your own protection.
—Robert Butler, Founding Director of the National Institute on Aging

Fernando M. Torres-Gil

"This seminal policy assessment, by the country's two leading policy gerontologists, is a must read for the general public, politicians, pundits, and anyone who cares about growing old in the United States. Schulz and Binstock provide the expert analysis, balanced viewpoints, and historical overview essential for countering alarmist scenarios and promoting reasonable public policy and discourse about the future of our aging nation."

—

Fernando M. Torres-Gil, Professor and Director of the Center for Policy Research on Aging, School of Public Policy, University of California, Los Angeles, Former U.S. Assistant Secretary for Aging

Robert Butler

A solid corrective thwack against conventional (and often false) wisdom, propagated by doomsters, about the perils of a nation living longer. Take notes for your own protection.

— Robert Butler, Founding Director of the National Institute on Aging

Dr. Robert Butler

"Aging Nation is a solid corrective thwack against conventional (and often false) wisdom, propagated by the doomsters, about the perils of a nation living longer. Take notes for your own protection."

—

Dr. Robert Butler, Founding Director of the National Institute on Aging, President and CEO of the International Longevity Center-USA

Fernando M. Torres-Gil

"This seminal policy assessment, by the country's two leading policy gerontologists, is a must read for the general public, politicians, pundits, and anyone who cares about growing old in the United States. Schulz and Binstock provide the expert analysis, balanced viewpoints, and historical overview essential for countering alarmist scenarios and promoting reasonable public policy and discourse about the future of our aging nation."

Editorial Reviews

A very important and equally timely book. It provides an extremely insightful treatment of the economics and politics of growing older in America.

Journal of Alzheimer's Disease

Highly recommended.

Midwest Book Review

James Schulz and Robert Binstock unquestionably take places of honor among the elders of the gerontological tribe. Decades of study, teaching, civic engagement, writing, and speaking to peers, lawmakers, and informed citizens have secured their reputations as knowledgeable, judicious, respected experts on the economics and politics of aging, respectively.

Journal of Aging and Social Policy - W. Andrew Achenbaum

This is a useful primer for any person who wants a sneak preview of the difficult days ahead.

History Wire - Where the Past Comes Alive - Steve Goddard

This timely book offers a worthwhile read for anyone interested in learning about the history of pension plans in the United States, their administration, and their economic impact on retirees.

Monthly Labor Review - Marvin Peláez

"This timely book offers a worthwhile read for anyone interested in learning about the history of pension plans in the United States, their administration, and their economic impact on retirees."

Monthly Labor Review - Marvin Peláez

James Schulz and Robert Binstock unquestionably take places of honor among the elders of the gerontological tribe. Decades of study, teaching, civic engagement, writing, and speaking to peers, lawmakers, and informed citizens have secured their reputations as knowledgeable, judicious, respected experts on the economics and politics of aging, respectively.

— W. Andrew Achenbaum, PhD

Journal of Aging and Social Policy

At the core of Aging Nation is a description and assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of major programs affecting the elderly (past and current) and rising generations. . . . Chapters 3 through 9 offer the clearest, most judicious assessment of the U.S. political economy in an aging society that I have read. For the quality of these analytic chapters alone, Aging Nation merits wide classroom adoption in gerontology, policy, and social science classes at the undergraduate and graduate levels.” —Jourbanal of Aging and Social Policy

“[E]xtremely valuable and timely contributions to the struggle against the conservative attack on the nation's relatively modest efforts to ensure a minimum level of collective well-being. These books are analytically rigorous and lucid counterattacks against what Hacker calls the crusaders for personal responsibility and Schulz and Binstock call the merchants of doom.' (Reviewed in conjunction with The Great Risk Shift, Jacob S. Hacker, Oxford University Press.)” —The Gerontologist

“Writing for the general public, Schulz and Binstock describe changes occurring in the US due to the aging of baby boomers and how their retirement decisions will be affected. They also discuss situations they will need to consider and address areas usually covered in separate books: Social Security history, policy issues, reform proposals, health care issues, work and retirement policy, private pensions, and the politics of aging. In particular, they aim to aid readers in figuring out the truth behind pessimistic warnings of future problems in health care and policy for the elderly and describe how these focus on the wrong issues. Instead, they focus on system-wide health-care cost issues, retirement and personal pensions, problems with raising the retirement age, and the myth that the country will be ruled by the aged.” —Reference & Research Book News

“An insightful book about growing old in America by two of the country's leading policy gerontologists is must reading, especially because 76 million baby boomers are approaching retirement. Perhaps more to the point, can a balance be struck between the deserving poor and what is perceived to be greedy geezers?. . . This is a remarkable book that merits our immediate and full attention. The authors point out that instead of giving in to negative Nellies, the time has come for expert analysis, balanced viewpoints and a united effort so that we can secure our futures. Dispelling popular myths and misconceptions, Aging Nation maps out a comprehensive, sensible plan that deserves our consideration.” —Tucson Citizen (Arizona)

“. . . this book provides a well-reasoned and readable antidote to the more hyperbolic and even hysterical claims of the 'doomsayers' documented by the authors. But more more than that, this is a thorough, insightful, and readable analysis of the key elements of financial security in retirement—Social Security, private pensions, employment, and health and long-term care.” —Jourbanal of Pension Economics and Finance

From the Publisher

". . . this book provides a well-reasoned and readable antidote to the more hyperbolic and even hysterical claims of the 'doomsayers' documented by the authors. But more more than that, this is a thorough, insightful, and readable analysis of the key elements of financial security in retirement—Social Security, private pensions, employment, and health and long-term care."

Journal of Pension Economics and Finance

"An insightful book about growing old in America by two of the country's leading policy gerontologists is must reading, especially because 76 million baby boomers are approaching retirement. Perhaps more to the point, can a balance be struck between the deserving poor and what is perceived to be greedy geezers?. . . This is a remarkable book that merits our immediate and full attention. The authors point out that instead of giving in to negative Nellies, the time has come for expert analysis, balanced viewpoints and a united effort so that we can secure our futures. Dispelling popular myths and misconceptions, Aging Nation maps out a comprehensive, sensible plan that deserves our consideration."

Tucson Citizen (Arizona)

"[E]xtremely valuable and timely contributions to the struggle against the conservative attack on the nation's relatively modest efforts to ensure a minimum level of collective well-being. These books are analytically rigorous and lucid counterattacks against what Hacker calls the crusaders for personal responsibility and Schulz and Binstock call the merchants of doom.' (Reviewed in conjunction with The Great Risk Shift, Jacob S. Hacker, Oxford University Press.)"

The Gerontologist

"Writing for the general public, Schulz and Binstock describe changes occurring in the US due to the aging of baby boomers and how their retirement decisions will be affected. They also discuss situations they will need to consider and address areas usually covered in separate books: Social Security history, policy issues, reform proposals, health care issues, work and retirement policy, private pensions, and the politics of aging. In particular, they aim to aid readers in figuring out the truth behind pessimistic warnings of future problems in health care and policy for the elderly and describe how these focus on the wrong issues. Instead, they focus on system-wide health-care cost issues, retirement and personal pensions, problems with raising the retirement age, and the myth that the country will be ruled by the aged."

Reference & Research Book News