Interview, Fireside Chat, Panel
Disrupt Aging: A Bold New Path to Living Your Best Life at Every Age
- Joanne Jenkins, CEO of AARP, transitioned from the Library of Congress (managing $1 billion budget, 4,000 employees) to AARP after 28 years in federal service, moving from the AARP Foundation to CEO over five years.
- Jenkins views the 50th birthday as a catalyst for "Disrupt Aging," challenging the narrative that aging equals decline and advocating that "50 is the new 50."
- AARP's viral video "What is Old?" accumulated over 15 million views in 2.5 weeks, with viewership split 50/50 between Millennials and Boomers.
- The video involved a social experiment where younger participants redefined "old" from late 40s to age 100 after interacting with active seniors aged 55–75.
- AARP has launched a $40 million innovation fund managed by JPMorgan Chase to invest in technologies that support aging in place.
- Approximately 10,000 people turn 65 daily in the U.S., a demographic trend expected to continue for the next 14 years.
- Roughly 50% of Americans over 50 rely solely on Social Security for retirement income.
- Research cited indicates a positive self-image regarding aging can extend life expectancy by 7–7.5 years compared to those with negative aging perceptions.
- AARP reinstituted a phased retirement program to allow employees to continue working while transitioning, mirroring similar flexibility initiatives at companies like IBM.
- The organization reports 100,000 volunteers, including a Tax Aid Program that completed 2.6 million free tax returns for low-to-moderate-income individuals last year.
- Jenkins advocates for "freedom to earn" alongside "freedom to retire," emphasizing choice over traditional retirement models.
- The average cost of a full-time nursing facility is approximately $87,000 annually, a figure rarely sustainable for most families over multiple years.
- AARP launched the "Movies for Grown-Ups" program, which successfully shifted industry language from embarrassment to celebration regarding older actors and audiences in just a few years.
- AARP's policy priorities include ensuring the solvency of Social Security, protecting Medicare/Medicaid funding, and advocating for long-term care legislation.
- The organization is actively lobbying for increased funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) to address geriatric research gaps.
- Jenkins noted that 85% of automobile marketing dollars target Millennials, despite Boomers being the primary purchasers of vehicles.
- AARP's 38 million members represent a political demographic split of roughly one-third Democrat, one-third Republican, and one-third Independent.
- The organization emphasizes the need for livable communities with accessible transportation and healthcare to support aging in place.
- Jenkins highlighted that people over 50 are among the fastest-growing small business owners in the U.S., with 50-plus individuals representing a $7.1 trillion purchasing power industry.
- AARP co-creates solutions with startups and communities to redesign infrastructure, such as swivel seats in vehicles and home layouts that accommodate aging without requiring relocation.
- Jenkins asserts that education regarding purpose and lifelong learning is shifting from a one-time event to a continuous process necessary for relevance in a changing economy.