The MacarThur research NeTwork oN aN agiNg socieTy

The MacArthur Research Network on an Aging Society

The MacArthur Research Network on an Aging Society is
an interd­ isciplinary group of scholars who are conducting
a broad-based analysis of how to help the nation prepare
for the challenges and opportunities posed by an aging
society. Research focuses on how major societal institutions,
including retirement, housing and labor markets, govern­
ment and families, will have to change to support the
emergence of a productive, equitable aging society.

AT A GLANCE
• B y the middle of the next decade,

the United States will become an aging
society, with more Americans over
age 60 than under age 15.
• The 76 million members of the baby boom
generation will reach retirement age over
the next decade.
• In the past century, U.S. life expectancy
at birth has climbed from 47 to 77 years.
After age 65, life expectancy has continued
to rise for most Americans, as seniors
experience healthier and more vital lives
due to biomedical and technological
advances.
• T he Network seeks to help policy
makers understand the impact of these
demographic changes and develop
policies and strategies to optimize the
opportunities for all ages and socio­
economic groups in an aging America.

John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation April 2010

The MacArthur Research Network on an Aging Society

Background • How will the aging of America affect change America’s concept of aging from
society’s key institutions, including a period of inevitable decline to a more
Tomorrow’s America will be a unique retirement, education, housing and nuanced and positive view of life beyond
aging society forged by two critical labor markets, churches, local 60 and published the best-selling book,
forces: the increase in disability-free life communities, political parties, Successful Aging.
expectancy in the 20th century, and the government, and families?
retirement of the baby boom generation Research Themes
over the next decade. While some • H ow will aging impact those in various The Research Network on an Aging
analysis and much political discussion socioeconomic groups disparately? Society seeks to help policy makers
has circulated around the sustainability of understand the impact of the demographic
the Social Security and Medicare Trust The MacArthur Research Network on changes and develop policies and
Funds, less work has been done on the an Aging Society was created in 2008 strategies at the local and national levels
many critical issues surrounding the with a $3.9 million grant from the that will optimize the opportunities for all
social, economic, and institutional Foundation. The Network is chaired by ages and socioeconomic groups in an
implications of an aging society. Dr. John Rowe, former CEO of Aetna and aging America.
Questions include: a professor at the Columbia University Network members represent a wide
Mailman School of Public Health. range of disciplines, including gerontology,
• What will life in be like for the elderly Previously, Dr. Rowe led the ground­
as well as the middle-aged and breaking MacArthur Research Network
younger generations? on Successful Aging, which helped

John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation page 2

http://www.agingsociety network.org/

psychology and health behavior, macro­ Select Research Findings Network research published in the
economics and public policy, social Network research published in The Milbank American Journal of Public Health
epidemiology, cognitive neuroscience, Quarterly finds that current government explores how effective prevention could
demography, and aging policy. Drawing projections may significantly under­ substantially improve the health of older
on the collective expertise of its 12 estimate the future life expectancy of Americans. Despite increases in longevity,
members, the Network focuses on Americans. By 2050, Americans may live such benefits could be achieved with little
three themes: 3.1 to 7.9 years longer than official or no additional lifetime medical spending.
• T he positive and negative impact of government projections, resulting in To read the articles, go to:
sharply higher costs for government www.macfound.org/aging
key intergenerational issues on families programs that serve older citizens.
and society;
• The development of meaningful roles Network research published in Contexts
for older people; and magazine debunks seven common
• T he potential effects that the various myths about aging, including that policy
sources of diversity and inequalities makers must choose between invest­
may have on the structure, economy, ments in youth or the elderly and that
and overall health of an aging society. being old entails being frail.

Network Members Dr. John T. Cacioppo Dr. James S. Jackson
Dr. John Rowe (Chair) Tiffany & Margaret Blake Daniel Katz Distinguished University
Professor, Mailman School Distinguished Service Professor Professor of Psychology, Professor of
of Public Health, and Director, Center for Cognitive Health Behavior and Health Education,
Columbia University and Social Neuroscience, School of Public Health, Director of
Dr. Lisa Berkman University of Chicago the Institute for Social Research,
Director, Center for Population Dr. Laura L. Carstensen University of Michigan
and Development Studies, Professor of Psychology and Director, Dr. Martin Kohli
Harvard University Stanford Center on Longevity, Professor of Sociology,
Dr. Robert Binstock Stanford University European University Institute,
Professor of Aging, Health, Dr. Linda P. Fried Florence, Italy
and Society, Dean and DeLamar Professor of Public Dr. S. Jay Olshansky
Case Western Reserve University Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Professor, School of Public Health,
Dr. Axel Börsch-Supan Columbia University University of Illinois at Chicago
Director, Mannheim Research
Institute for the Economics of Aging, Dr. Dana P. Goldman John Rother
University of Mannheim, Germany Director, Health Economics, Executive Vice President for Policy
Finance, and Organization, and Strategy,
RAND AARP

page 3 www.macfound.org

The MacArthur Research Network on an Aging Society

For More Information About The MacArthur Foundation
John Rowe The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation supports creative people and
Chair, MacArthur Research Network effective institutions committed to building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. In
on an Aging Society addition to selecting the MacArthur Fellows, the Foundation works to defend human
[email protected] rights, advance global conservation and security, make cities better places, and
Michael Stegman understand how technology is affecting children and society.
Director of Policy and Housing For more information or to sign-up for our free electronic newsletter, please
[email protected] visit www.macfound.org.
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
140 South Dearborn St., Suite 1200, Chicago, Illinois 60603-5285
Telephone: (312) 726-8000 Fax: (312) 920-6258
www.macfound.org
TDD: (312) 920-6285

John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation April 2010