Archive: Henry J. Aaron

African American businesswoman raising hand, asking question in business conference

Abstract The possibility of increasing the age at which Social Security benefits are first paid merits renewed scrutiny for at least three reasons: a decrease in overall benefits would imply that those claiming reduced benefits before the ‘full benefits age’ may accept benefits that seem adequate when claimed but are insufficient when income earnings ends…

Nurse taking care of mature patient in front of window

Abstract Several empirical studies have presented evidence that per-person health care spending does not rise with calendar age but with proximity to death.  Hence, it is alleged that increases in longevity will not, by themselves, boost health care spending.  Unfortunately, available data provide no basis for assuming that the curve relating average health care spending…