<p>“New research suggests that they may die sooner, because their health, income security and mental well-being were battered by recession at a crucial time in their lives. A recent study by economists at Wellesley College found that people who lost their jobs in the few years before becoming eligible for Social Security lost up to three years from their life expectancy, largely because they no longer had access to affordable health care.”</p>
<p>Perhaps they mean “in the few years before becoming eligible for Medicare”, since that is when medical insurance is the most expensive, but the person does not get the socialized medical insurance program available to all who reach 65 years old. Note that Social Security eligibility starts at 62 years old.</p>
<p>I think what ucbalumnus means is that even if someone lost their job after age 62, and were eligible for Social Security benefits, they would not have access to affordable health care until they were eligible for Medicare at age 65.</p>
<p>Our parents were in the public sector and all 4 retired in their 50’s. They got a COLA with their pensions. The oldest of the four died about two years ago. His pension had quadrupled the amount he was earning when working the last year he worked. Good health insurance.</p>
<p>Public Sector retirement is the new goldplated retirement. Things have changed.</p>
<p>When all parts of the economy were doing well, the public sector quietly stoked their bennies. So those in that sector, I would wager, will live long.</p>
<p>The private sector – which, of course, pays for the private sector – is a different story.</p>
<p>The other issue is kid cost. We are paying for very expensive educations for our kids; our parents did not. It adds a layer of stress to the whole getting-older-retiring-scenario that they did not deal with.</p>
<p>So I’m kind of doubtful we’ll live as long.</p>
<p>But I think we will have accomplished significantly more. And that was our choice.</p>
<p>Also, I think living long is sometimes about discipline and I think my DH and I are a lot more disciplined than our parents.We keep the weight down, we exercise.</p>