The New Racial Gap: Longevity in the Retirement Years
POLICY NOTE
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In 1950, the United States could claim racial equity in one important respect - both black and white American men who reached age 65 could expect to live to 77.
Growing Life Expectancy Gap at 65 for Black and White Men
By 2010, white men at age 65 were projected to live almost two years longer than black men, while white women could expect to live one year longer than black women.
Given that gaps in life expectancy at age 65 exist between black and white Americans, the fact that the “average” American is living longer cannot be used to justify proposals to raise the retirement age. In fact, the data reveal that such a proposal will disproportionately impact Blacks.
Read SCEPA's full report investigating the racial disparities behind proposals to raise the retirement age.