AARP CEO Urges 50-Plus Workers to Keep Learning as Group Puts Their 2024 Output at $12.5 Trillion
Updated
Updated · AARP · Jun 8
AARP CEO Urges 50-Plus Workers to Keep Learning as Group Puts Their 2024 Output at $12.5 Trillion
2 articles · Updated · AARP · Jun 8
Summary
Myechia Minter-Jordan told a June 2 LinkedIn News seminar that longer careers now require workers to treat jobs as evolving “chapters,” not a single linear path.
AARP tied that advice to a “longevity revolution” in which AI, age discrimination and labor-market demand are reshaping work for older Americans.
AARP’s 2026 outlook said adults 50 and older generated $12.5 trillion in economic activity in 2024—43% of U.S. GDP—underscoring their growing role in the economy.
By 2060, the 50-plus population is projected to reach 41% of Americans from about 36% now, with its economic contribution nearly doubling to $24 trillion.
Does the 'longevity revolution' risk erasing retirement, forcing people to work from necessity rather than choice?
As careers stretch decades longer, how must we redesign education, finance, and retirement for a 100-year life?
How can businesses merge veteran employee wisdom with AI to build a workforce that thrives for decades?
The $12.5 Trillion Longevity Economy: How Americans 50+ Are Reshaping Work, Society, and Financial Security in 2026 and Beyond
Overview
The Longevity Economy, powered by Americans aged 50 and older, is transforming the U.S. economy with an annual contribution of $12.5 trillion as of 2026. This economic force drives job creation, tax revenues, and consumer spending across many sectors, highlighting the profound impact of an aging population on national prosperity. As people live longer, the influence of their experiences, assets, and spending habits will become even more important for sustained growth. Looking ahead, the Longevity Economy is expected to nearly double by 2060, making it essential for leaders in all sectors to recognize and plan for this powerful trend.