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

James H. Schulz (Author), Robert H. Binstock (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 027598415X | ISBN-13: 978-0275984151 | Publication Date: October 30, 2006

With the impending retirement of some 76 million Baby Boomers, understanding the economic, political, and social issues related to the aging population is paramount. If the doom-and-gloomers have their way, the elderly will be put out to pasture, with inadequate health care and financial resources, and a crumbling social welfare system. In Aging Nation, renowed experts in the field, James Schulz and Robert Binstock, agree that there is considerable cause for concern, but with a variety of sound policies and programs in place and smart individual choices, the elderly can prosper, and a demographic tsunami is not inevitable. Drawing from the most current data, the authors provide in-depth analysis of the nation's evolving private and public policies on retirement, faltering employer pensions, health care, workplace conditions, and entitlement programs, and consider such timely issues as poverty among the elderly, rejoining the workforce after retirement, Social Security and health care reform, and the rise of the elderly as a powerful political force. Dispelling popular myths and misconceptions that are perpetrated by politicians and pundits alike, they provide a comprehensive and balanced assessment of the issues and their impact on everyone, old and young.

Deserving poor or greedy geezers? The debate rages on. In a period of huge government deficits and the impending retirement of some 76 million Baby Boomers, understanding the economic, political, and social issues related to the aging population is paramount. The policy debates have never been more contentious; they range from deciding who should receive limited subsidized housing and medical services to the ongoing battle over saving Social Security and other entitlement programs. If the doom-and-gloomers have their way, the elderly will be put out to pasture, with inadequate health care and financial resources, and a crumbling social welfare infrastructure that will implode under the strain of intergenerational conflict. This book debunks most aging crises put forth by merchants of doom and offers a new policy focus for our nation.

In Aging Nation, renowned experts in the field, James Schulz and Robert Binstock, agree that there is considerable cause for concern, but with a variety of sound policies and programs in place and smart individual choices, the elderly can prosper, and a demographic tsunami is not inevitable. Drawing from the most current data, the authors provide in-depth analysis of the nation's evolving private and public policies on retirement, faltering employer pensions, health care, workplace conditions, and entitlement programs, and consider such timely issues as poverty among the elderly, rejoining the workforce after retirement, Social Security and health care reform, and the rise of the elderly as a powerful political force. Dispelling popular myths and misconceptions that are perpetrated by politicians and pundits alike, they provide a comprehensive and balanced assessment of these issues and their impact on everyone, old and young.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"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."

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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.)"

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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."

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Reference & Research Book News

"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."

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Journal of Aging and Social Policy

". . . 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."

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Journal of Pension Economics and Finance

Review

"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

)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 296 pages
• Publisher: Praeger (October 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 027598415X
• ISBN-13: 978-0275984151
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #802,884 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "Must" Read This Presidential Election Year, June 10, 2008

By 

M. M. Osako (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aging Nation: The Economics and Politics of Growing Older in America (Paperback)

"Aging Nation" is both highly informative and carefully reasoned. The co-authors, James Schulz, a well known economist, and Robert Binstock, a widely respected political scientist, have succeeded in combining several decades of work in their respective disciplines to produce a highly readable book for the general public.

Covering a variety of issues, ranging from retirement and Social Security to healthcare, the authors first present prevailing views followed by their careful analysis based on data as well as relevant historical precedents. For example, in discussing the current Social Security crisis, the authors remind us of a "modest but effective reform developed by The National Commission on Social Security Reform" (chaired by Alan Greenspan) under the Reagan administration "that put Social Security on a sound basis for many decades to come. "

One of the major strengths of this book is its focus on current developments which are close to many readers' hearts and minds: What are the effects of stock market fluctuation on older Americans? How does "off-shoring" of work to developing nations affect older Americans' chance for keeping or finding employment? Is it relevant to blame older people for the current healthcare crisis? The co-authors address these and other issues in a lucid manner.

Because of its attention to various issues demanding policy decisions, this book is especially relevant this Presidential election year. For anyone wishing to formulate a reasoned and well-informed opinion on the candidates' positions on economic security, retirement, health care and related issues, this is a "must" read.


M.M. Osako, Ph.D.

Chicago, IL

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Useful Reframing of the Politics and Economics of Aging, February 13, 2008

By 

Eric R. Kingson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aging Nation: The Economics and Politics of Growing Older in America (Hardcover)

An outstanding, readable and credible overview of the economic and political implications of the aging of America... James Schulz and Robert Binstock, two highly-respected scholars, reject sensational and ideologically-driven claims that America cannot afford to support tomorrow's elders, that today's young will be overwhelmed by pension and health care costs for tomorrow's old.

The authors identify and discuss strains in the nation's public and private retirement and health security systems. The diverse circumstances of today's and tomorrow's elderly populations are examined. Problems in the occupationally-based health insurance system (including declines in retiree health insurace protection) are discussed as combining with overseas job competition, declines in employer pension protections and stock market fluctuations to shift risk onto individuals and their families. Schulz's and Binstock's analysis highlights the importance of maintaining the nation's commitment to the social insurance approachas exemplified by Social Security and Medicare -- the foundations of the nation's retirement and health security system. Their political and economic analysis shows how this can be accomplished and identifies trade-offs of various proposals.

"Aging Nation" is a valuable resource for those seeking a fresh and reasoned discussion about choices and complexities, challenges and opportunities, surrounding the 60 year transition of the 78 million persons born between 1946 and 1964 through their middle years and then into their early- and finally advanced-old ages. In discussing this demographic change, the authors examine the implications for differing age groups, taxpayers, employers and families.

A public service and an unquestionably useful book for students, decision-makers, the reading public and scholars... "Aging Nation" should find its ways onto the shelves of many libraries and into the hands of those shaping national discourse about population aging and the future of Social Security, Medicare and related policies.

Eric R. Kingson
Professor of Social Work and Public Administration
Syracuse University

5.0 out of 5 stars A look America's problem of the impeding retirement of its baby boomer generation, July 8, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aging Nation: The Economics and Politics of Growing Older in America (Paperback)

When the social security system was invented, few people lived past the age of seventy. But in the modern era, it's almost a given that seeing eighty is an easy feat. "Aging Nation: The Economics and Politics of Growing Older in America" is a look America's problem of the impeding retirement of its baby boomer generation. Postulating that the collapse of Social Security is not entirely unavoidable, "Aging Nation" is an in depth look at every aspect of age and its politics, not just concerning Social Security but health care and many other issues as well. Highly recommended for community library economics collections.