Ronald Reagan couldn’t have known for certain the incredible growth that would occur within the nation’s older population three decades ago when he proclaimed August 21st as National Senior Citizens Day.
Some 78 million people 65 years and older will live in America by 2035, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, surpassing the number of the country's population under the age of 18 (76.7 million) for the first time in U.S. history.
It was 1988, when, through Proclamation 5847, Reagan deemed today as the day America would celebrate seniors. But his words may hold even more validity over 30 years later as older people are living longer, healthier and more productive lives than ever before:
“Throughout our history, older people have achieved much for our families, our communities, and our country…With improved health care and more years of productivity, older citizens are reinforcing their historical roles as leaders and as links with our patrimony and sense of purpose as individuals and as a Nation. Many older people are embarking on second careers, giving younger Americans a fine example of responsibility, resourcefulness, competence, and determination. And more than 4.5 million senior citizens are serving as volunteers in various programs and projects that benefit every sector of society. Wherever the need exists, older people are making their presence felt—for their own good and that of others…”
It’s appropriate that the 40th president would proclaim a day for seniors. Reagan was 69 years old when he took the helm of the most powerful nation in the world on January 20, 1981. (The median age men have taken on the job is 55 years and 3 months.) He died at the age of 93. And not only was Reagan the oldest person to be elected president—having lived 73 years and 274 days at the time of his election to a second term—he was also the oldest at the time of leaving the office at 77 years and 349 days.
Reagan suffered a fair amount of grief about his age in the 1980s. One particularly memorable encounter happened on October 21, 1984, when in the second presidential debate with candidate Walter Mondale, Reagan was grilled over his age by Henry "Hank" Trewhitt of the Baltimore Sun. "You already are the oldest President in history, and some of your staff say you were tired after your most recent encounter with Mr. Mondale. I recall, yes, that President Kennedy, who had to go for days on end with very little sleep during the Cuba missile crisis. Is there any doubt in your mind that you would be able to function in such circumstances?" Reagan replied, "Not at all, Mr. Trewhitt and I want you to know that also I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent's youth and inexperience." Trewhitt responded, "Mr. President, I'd like to head for the fence and try to catch that one before it goes over." Mondale lost.
American presidents have a good track record of long life. But none holds a candle to Jimmy Carter. The 39th president reigns as the oldest living U.S. president—born October 1, 1924. “On March 22, 2019, he also became the nation’s longest-lived president, surpassing the lifespan of George H. W. Bush, who died at the age of 94 years, 171 days,” Wikipedia states. Additionally, Carter holds the distinction of having the longest post-presidency in U.S. history—now at 38 years and counting.
Still, six U.S. presidents have lived to be nonagenarians. John Adams was the first to live into his 90s and held the distinction of being the longest-lived president for nearly two centuries, from 1803 until Ronald Reagan surpassed his lifespan in October 2001. The six nonagenarian presidents (ordered by lifespan) are: Herbert Hoover (aged 90 years, 71 days), John Adams (aged 90 years, 247 days), Ronald Reagan (aged 93 years, 120 days), Gerald R. Ford (aged 93 years, 165 days), George H. W. Bush (aged 94 years, 171 days) and Jimmy Carter (age 94 years, 322 days). Currently, in addition to President Donald J. Trump, there are four living former presidents: Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
Trump holds the title of the oldest person sworn in as president of the United States. He was 70 years and 220 days old at his inauguration.
But the presidents aren’t the only ones whose longevity is noteworthy, nor will it even compare to the increasing lifespans of everyday Americans in the coming years. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017 National Population Projections, the year 2030 will mark a significant demographic turning point in the history of the United States. (The 2017 National Population Projections are the third set of projections based on the 2010 Census.) In a little over a decade, all baby boomers will be older than age 65, thus expanding the size of the older population so that 1 in every 5 U.S. residents will be retirement age.
“The aging of baby boomers means that within just a couple decades, older people are projected to outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history,” said Jonathan Vespa, a demographer with the U.S. Census Bureau. “By 2035, there will be 78 million people 65 years and older compared to 76.7 million under the age of 18.”
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the 2030s are projected to be a “transformative decade for the U.S. population,” as it is “expected to grow at a slower pace, age considerably and become more racially and ethnically diverse. Net international migration is projected to overtake natural increase in 2030 as the primary driver of population growth in the United States, another demographic first for the United States.”
“Although births are projected to be nearly four times larger than the level of net international migration in coming decades, a rising number of deaths will increasingly offset how much births are able to contribute to population growth,” the Census Bureau reports. “Between 2020 and 2050, the number of deaths is projected to rise substantially as the population ages and a significant share of the population, the baby boomers, age into older adulthood. As a result, the population will naturally grow very slowly, leaving net international migration to overtake natural increase as the leading cause of population growth, even as projected levels of migration remain relatively constant.”
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the population of the United States will reach 400 million in 2058, as the nation is projected to grow by 79 million people by 2060—from 326 million today to 404 million.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the ratio of older adults to working-age adults—also known as the old-age dependency ratio—is projected to rise as the population ages. The Census Bureau estimates that by next year, there will be about three-and-a-half working-age adults for every retirement-age person; and by 2060, that ratio will fall to just two-and-a-half working-age adults for every retirement-age person. The median age of the U.S. population is expected to grow from age 38 today to age 43 by 2060.
As people celebrate older Americans all over the country today, National Day Calendar offers this tribute: “Their wealth of knowledge, skill, and experience offer so much to the next generation. As technologies advance, these are the people who’ve experienced each step of change. Not only have they contributed to it, but they understand first-hand the benefits and the drawbacks. They know life without the advancements that exist today. Our senior citizens are pioneers of science, medicine, psychology, civil rights and so much more. Their valuable contributions to our communities create better places to live. They deserve the respect and dignity their achievements earn them.”
National Day Calendar tracks nearly 1,500 existing national days, weeks and months and researches new ones all the time. The site offers the following suggestions for celebrating seniors today and every day:
- Spend time with the senior citizens you know. Let them know they are appreciated and loved. It may also be a good day to volunteer at a retirement home. Share your smile with those who may not otherwise get a visitor today.
- If you are a senior citizen, check for special discounts and promotions that may be offered at stores and restaurants in your area.
- Use #SeniorCitizensDay to post pictures, events or just something you’re doing with an older person today on social media.
The age of a senior citizen varies according to the source, however, people may begin receiving Social Security benefits at age 62, even though the Social Security Office reports that 67 is the age of retirement. Still, if you are 55 and you visit an Arby's or McDonald's, you can get a senior discount.
And the York Daily Record offers a slew of additional discounts available to seniors today and every day. For more information click here.
