America is not ready for its own longevity crisis — and 2026 is the wake-up call

Americans are living longer than ever before, which is a remarkable achievement. But making those additional years healthy, secure, and fulfilling will require better planning across households, retirement systems, employers, and communities.

In 2026, the oldest baby boomers will turn 80. This demographic milestone will test whether our financial, health, housing, care, community, and social systems are prepared for what most people want: to age well at home. Today, most Americans are far from ready. According to the National Council on Aging, roughly 80% of households with adults age 60 and older lack the resources to cover long-term care costs or weather a financial emergency, exposing a widening longevity readiness gap.

The vast majority will require some level of ongoing care or support, yet few plan for it. Many mistakenly believe Medicare will cover long-term care costs. The planning gap extends far beyond finances. The homes people hope to age in are often unsuitable— with less than 5% of U.S. homes having basic accessibility features; and just 18% of older adults making modifications to support aging in place. With the 65+ population projected to rise from 61 million in 2024 to more than 80 million by 2040, these challenges will only intensify.

The common thread: we spend our adult lives thinking about the financial aspects of retirement, giving limited consideration for what else we will need to navigate the decades that may follow.