Extending work lives is an essential part of any workable strategy for addressing America’s aging challenge. 

Nothing is likely to do more to maintain economic and living standard growth in an aging America than unlocking the productive potential of the elderly. In the midst of a pandemic and with unemployment at record highs, now may not seem like the most opportune time to make the case. But if anything, the near-term economic and fiscal damage caused by the current crisis makes thinking about how to maintain the long-term growth in living standards all the more important.

Working longer is both a natural and a necessary response to the aging of America. Life spans and health spans have risen dramatically over the course of the postwar era but far from rising, work spans have fallen. If a larger share of adults in their sixties and seventies were to remain employed, the benefits for the economy, the budget and individuals themselves would be immense.

This Zoom-based webinar will include an opening presentation by Richard Jackson, President and founder of the Global Aging Institute (GAI) and the author of "The Case for Longer Work Lives," a recently released issue brief from GAI and The Concord Coalition. Jackson's presentation will be followed by a moderated discussion with Eugene Steuerle of the Urban Institute and Jason Fichtner of Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. 

Featured Speakers 

Richard Jackson, Author

Jackson is president and founder of the Global Aging Institute (GAI). Jackson is the author of the issue briefs that make up The Shape of Things to Come, a joint-project of The Concord Coalition and GAI that explores the fiscal, economic, social, and geopolitical implications of the aging of America. An internationally recognized expert in global aging, Jackson is the author of  numerous policy studies on the global aging challenge, including Lessons from Abroad for the U.S. Entitlement Debate; The Global Aging Preparedness Index, Second Edition; and The Graying of the Great Powers: Demography and Geopolitics in the 21^st Century.

Eugene Steuerle, Discussant

Institute fellow and the Richard B. Fisher chair at the Urban Institute. Steuerle is the author, coauthor or coeditor of 18 books including Dead Men Ruling and is a widely respected authority on federal budget policy, taxes and Social Security. He served as  deputy assistant secretary of the US Department of the Treasury for Tax Analysis from 1987 until 1989.

Jason Fichtner, Discussant

Senior Lecturer and an Associate Director of the Master of International Economics and Finance (MIEF) program at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Fichtner’s research focuses on Social Security, federal tax policy, federal budget policy, retirement security, and policy proposals to increase saving and investment. He served in several positions at the Social Security Administration, including as Deputy Commissioner of Social Security (acting), Chief Economist, and Associate Commissioner for Retirement Policy.

Tori Gorman, Moderator

Policy Director of The Concord Coalition, Gorman joined Concord after a 16-year career on Capitol Hill where she held director-level positions advising senior members of the budget, appropriations, and tax writing committees in the House and Senate. Her efforts across the aisle on budget process, entitlement, and tax reforms established her reputation for bipartisanship and fiscal responsibility. Prior to her career in the federal legislative branch, Gorman was the economist for the Maryland General Assembly.

CLICK HERE to register for this important discussion today!

Additional Information

Call-in details for this Zoom-based webinar and discussion will be provided to participants after registration.  "The Case for Longer Work Lives: Maintaining Economic and Living Standard Growth in an Aging America" will take place Tuesday, September 15, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. EST.

For questions, please contact, Tyler Sweeney, The Concord Coalition: [email protected], (603) 325-8556.