"Thanks to advances in medical science and public health, the fastest growing demographic in the world is now people aged 100 or more. Rather than celebrating this extraordinary achievement, however, we often see an aging society as a threat. We worry about a growing care burden, the challenges of financing longer lives, a shrinking economy, and a society fractured by intergenerational conflict. These fears create a new imperative--instead of planning for an extended retirement, we must radically re-imagine our society. The Longevity Imperative shows how to change our health systems, economy, and personal finances, along with our assumptions and stereotypes about what it means to grow old. What new financial products and services will we need to fund and ensure longer lives? What sectors of the economy might grow with an increasingly active older population? What institutional supports will young people need in the early stages of a longer life? Instead of seeing longevity as a problem, economist Andrew Scott challenges us to view longevity as an opportunity. We can tackle these social and political issues to create a future that is healthier, happier, and more productive for us all"--Provided by publisher.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction -- Part I : a new imperative. A new age -- How we age -- All's well that ages well -- Part II : building an evergreen economy -- A health revolution -- Seizing an economic dividend -- Money and your life -- Part III : delivering an evergreen society. The meaning of life -- The generational challenge -- Pitfalls and progress -- Epilogue : the power of love.