Retirement in America – Details, episodes & analysis

In the premiere episode of Retirement in America, host Dan Doonan sits down with Deb Whitman, Executive Vice President and Chief Public Policy Officer at AARP and author of The Second Fifty: Answers to the 7 Big Questions of Midlife and Beyond.

Together, they explore how the retirement landscape in America has changed dramatically over the past several decades — from the decline of pensions to the rise of individual savings responsibility and the financial challenges facing millions of workers today.

Deb shares insights from her career in aging and retirement policy, discusses the opportunities and risks that come with longer life expectancy, and explains why retirement today requires a different mindset than it did for previous generations. The conversation also examines practical solutions that could strengthen retirement security and help more Americans prepare for the future with confidence. Topics include:

• The changing retirement landscape in America
• Longevity and financial security
• The shift from pensions to individual savings plans
• Retirement policy and workplace solutions
• The biggest challenges facing future retirees
• Lessons from Deb Whitman’s book The Second Fifty

Americans are living longer than ever before—but are we prepared for what that means?

In Episode 2 of Retirement in America, National Institute on Retirement Security Executive Director Dan Doonan discusses this complex topic with Ken Dychtwald, founder and CEO of Age Wave and one of the nation's leading experts on aging, longevity, and retirement. Together, they explore how increasing life expectancy is reshaping retirement, work, healthcare, and financial security.

Ken discusses why he calls today's demographic transformation the "longevity revolution," how retirement has evolved into an entirely new stage of life, and why many Americans may be underestimating the challenges of financing decades in retirement. The conversation also examines the importance of health, social connection, purpose, and guaranteed retirement income in creating a secure and fulfilling retirement.

Ken and Dan look at innovative ideas for helping older Americans remain engaged and connected, including Ken's vision for an "AmeriCorps for older adults."

Topics covered include:

• How longer lifespans are changing retirement
• The future of work in an aging society
• Retirement income and financial security
• Health, well-being, and purpose in retirement
• The role of pensions and guaranteed income
• New ideas for supporting older Americans in the years ahead

Whether you're planning for retirement, already retired, or interested in the future of aging in America, this conversation offers valuable insights into one of the most significant demographic shifts of our time.

More information: www.nirsonline.org and https://agewave.com/who-we-are/the-team/ken-dychtwald/