Aging Well in America: AARP's Vision for National Plan on Aging

The U.S. is aging at a rate never seen in history. In less than a decade, adults ages 65 and older will outnumber children under 18 for the first time. 

The trend, in fact, is a global one. By midcentury, the number of older adults around the world will double, surpassing two billion people. Other countries are responding to these changes by developing national plans on aging to help them meet challenges and maximize the opportunity of increased longevity. AARP’s Global Thought Leadership research reveals that countries that are planning for demographic change will have a competitive advantage, and their citizens will be in a better position to thrive. One key advantage of a national plan is that a country can consider the full range of issues affecting people as they age and address them in a coordinated way.

The United States has yet to develop a comprehensive national plan. The good news is that significant progress has been made at the state and local levels, and new federal efforts are underway to develop a national plan on aging.

AARP’s Aging Well in America Initiative aims to drive the creation and implementation of a U.S. national plan on aging that enables all individuals to age with dignity and purpose—maintaining their health, financial resilience, and quality of life in age-friendly, livable communities with the necessary support systems in place. As part of its efforts, AARP has released an AARP Public Policy Institute report delineating key recommendations for a national plan. In addition to the report and forthcoming written products, AARP will continue to offer expertise throughout the development process and implementation of the national plan on aging.