Question

• As a nation, we are faced with a serious dilemma over financing Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid while, at the same time, advances in medicine are prolonging life. Research with gene manipulation shows promise of extending life significantly beyond current mortality tables. Hence, the Methuselah problem: extending life while financing it at the same time.
  • Should we extend life when we are already experiencing problems caring for the elderly?
  • Should we eliminate retirement or raise the age of retirement?

Answer 1

I think it is a completely personal decision and choice for us if we intend to expand life keeping in mind teh finances we have. It is always going to be a personal call which we have to take and understand what we wish to do next in life. It is not that someone else is going to come to us and pay for our expenses, we have to take the smart move and the brave call to decide what we wish to do next. If we think we can manage the elderly as well as the new life, we should proceed with it, else drop the plan. The age of retirement should stay as it is since people cannot do more work after a certain and and capacity. This really shakes who they are and the manner in which they wish to choose in life for the things they do on day to day basis. We have to stake a stand some day or the other. It is better we do it wisely and choose it in a brave manner.