On Retirement

How Aging Is Transforming American Lives

By Daniel Horowitz | Publisher: NYU Press

About the book

How longer lives, greater prosperity, and policy shifts are reshaping aging and retirement

Once considered a period of frailty and physical decline, aging and retirement have transformed into a chapter of continued vitality and growth for many Americans. Indeed, medical advancements and government policies have opened opportunities for people to live longer and healthier lives.

Written from the perspective of a retired historian, On Retirement reveals how and why retirement, aging, and longevity have emerged as prominent issues in the United States. Daniel Horowitz assesses the factors that have shaped these discussions, from dramatic increases in life expectancy to shifting government policies. He explores how writers and entrepreneurs have seen and promoted long lives through movies, print and new media, senior housing, how-to books, and aging organizations. While popular media often enforces self-governance narratives to achieve a “successful” retirement, Horowitz examines how this success is often only accessible through expensive and time-consuming avenues. Moreover, he assesses the socioeconomic and existential challenges most Americans encounter as they age, shaping the choices available to them post-retirement.

Ultimately, Horowitz shows that popular “self-help” perspectives on longevity have failed to account for how dramatic inequalities shape American experiences with retirement. Providing an expansive look into the history of retirement and seniors' profound fears surrounding finance, health, and longevity, On Retirement examines the changing demographics that have allowed people to live longer and healthier lives and offers a critical assessment of popular retirement advice.

Editions of On Retirement

AltFormat
ISBN 9781479841219

Read an Excerpt

How longer lives, greater prosperity, and policy shifts are reshaping aging and retirement

Once considered a period of frailty and physical decline, aging and retirement have transformed into a chapter of continued vitality and growth for many Americans. Indeed, medical advancements and government policies have opened opportunities for people to live longer and healthier lives.

Written from the perspective of a retired historian, On Retirement reveals how and why retirement, aging, and longevity have emerged as prominent issues in the United States. Daniel Horowitz assesses the factors that have shaped these discussions, from dramatic increases in life expectancy to shifting government policies. He explores how writers and entrepreneurs have seen and promoted long lives through movies, print and new media, senior housing, how-to books, and aging organizations. While popular media often enforces self-governance narratives to achieve a “successful” retirement, Horowitz examines how this success is often only accessible through expensive and time-consuming avenues. Moreover, he assesses the socioeconomic and existential challenges most Americans encounter as they age, shaping the choices available to them post-retirement.

Ultimately, Horowitz shows that popular “self-help” perspectives on longevity have failed to account for how dramatic inequalities shape American experiences with retirement. Providing an expansive look into the history of retirement and seniors' profound fears surrounding finance, health, and longevity, On Retirement examines the changing demographics that have allowed people to live longer and healthier lives and offers a critical assessment of popular retirement advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is On Retirement about?

How longer lives, greater prosperity, and policy shifts are reshaping aging and retirement

Once considered a period of frailty and physical decline, aging and retirement have transformed into a chapter of continued vitality and growth for many Americans. Indeed, medical advancements and government policies have opened opportunities for people to live longer and healthier lives.

Written from the perspective of a retired historian, On Retirement reveals how and why retirement, aging, and longevity have emerged as prominent issues in the United States. Daniel Horowitz assesses the factors that have shaped these discussions, from dramatic increases in life expectancy to shifting government policies. He explores how writers and entrepreneurs have seen and promoted long lives through movies, print and new media, senior housing, how-to books, and aging organizations. While popular media often enforces self-governance narratives to achieve a “successful” retirement, Horowitz examines how this success is often only accessible through expensive and time-consuming avenues. Moreover, he assesses the socioeconomic and existential challenges most Americans encounter as they age, shaping the choices available to them post-retirement.

Ultimately, Horowitz shows that popular “self-help” perspectives on longevity have failed to account for how dramatic inequalities shape American experiences with retirement. Providing an expansive look into the history of retirement and seniors' profound fears surrounding finance, health, and longevity, On Retirement examines the changing demographics that have allowed people to live longer and healthier lives and offers a critical assessment of popular retirement advice.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in On Retirement?

Society and Social Sciences > Sociology and anthropology > Anthropology > Social and cultural anthropology

Where can I read a sample of On Retirement?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781479841219

How long is On Retirement and how many pages does it have?

On Retirement has 296 page(s)

Who is/are the Author/s of the book On Retirement?

Daniel Horowitz

Who is the Publisher of the book On Retirement?

NYU Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

On Retirement is available as altformat(ISBN 9781479841219)

Where can I buy On Retirement online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy On Retirement from below

Where can I buy On Retirement?