Written by leading thinkers in the field, this text provides an in-depth analysis of the economic and policy issues associated with the aging of individuals and populations. With a strong policy focus based on demographic and economic study, this book focuses on "who gets what" from current and proposed government programs that impact on older persons, and how these affect individual behaviour. It does so in a straightforward manner that is accessible to readers with a range of mathematical backgrounds. The discussion concentrates on: the effects of aging populations on the United States and other nations; the economic wellbeing of the elderly, highlighting women and minorities; public and private programs providing income for the elderly; Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance; Social Security and Medicare reform options; employer-based retirement programs and pensions; retirement patterns and factors influencing retirement decisions. The authors draw from the experiences of other countries in evaluating the US experience and options. Additionally, each chapter engages the reader through practical examples and stimulates further investigation by providing practice questions with relevant website addresses.