WASHINGTON—Americans over 50 are a boon to, not a drain on, the economy. And while researchers have long known that maintaining social connections is critical to mental health, it is also linked to a stronger immune system, lower blood pressure and a longer life. These findings and more are featured in The Second Fifty: Answers to the 7 Big Questions of Midlife and Beyond (W. W. Norton & Company), the new book from Debra Whitman, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Public Policy Officer.  

The Second Fifty provides rich insights on longevity, brain health, financial planning, work, housing, the value of relationships and social engagement. It explores some of the most pressing concerns Americans have as they age: How long will I live? Will I be healthy? Will I lose my memory? How long will I work? Will I have enough money? The book takes readers on a search for answers at a critical time in our history: by 2030, 1 in 5 Americans will be age 65 or older, and by 2050, the U.S. is projected to have nearly 1 million centenarians. And in its final chapter, the book offers a rich menu of policy ideas to help solve one of America’s most pressing needs – supporting its aging population for the sake of everyone’s health, well-being, and the nation’s economy.

With compelling stories from Whitman’s own family and people across the country, interviews with experts, and cutting-edge research, The Second Fifty provides a roadmap for navigating and celebrating the second half of life. Throughout the book, Whitman emphasizes the importance of mindset to living well as we age. For example, people who view aging positively live over 7 years longer than people with the most negative attitudes, and older adults who believe they have a sense of purpose in their lives often live longer.

Whether you are approaching 50, into your later years or caring for someone who is, The Second Fifty provides practical steps, grounded in research, to help us all create a better second 50 for ourselves and our loved ones – along with critical policy solutions that any next Administration or Congress would be wise to consider.

About the Author
Debra Whitman, PhD, is AARP’s Executive Vice President and Chief Public Policy Officer and the former staff director for the Senate Special Committee on Aging. She holds a doctorate in economics from Syracuse University and lives in Maryland.

All proceeds from The Second Fifty go to support AARP Foundation.

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About AARP
AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.