What growing life expectancy gaps mean for the promise of Social Security

In an age of disappointing income gains for the average American family, America’s senior citizens have fared remarkably well by a number of economic indicators. One reason why? Social Security. But new research from Barry Bosworth, Gary Burtless, and Kan Zhang highlights emerging trends in later retirement and a growing life expectancy gap between the rich and the poor that could lessen the program’s positive effects—and policymakers should pay attention.