Description: Discussion of Symposium Session 3B. Papers presented: Living to 100 - A Women's Issue Evaluation of Approaches to Reducing Women's Longevity Risk Estimates of Incidence, Prevalence, Duration, Intensity, and Cost of Chronic Disability among the US Elderly

Description: This paper examines the current presence of more females in the work force, and the Social Security/retirement issues that are raised by this trend. From Retirement Implications of Demographic and Family Change Symposium Monograph, M-RS02-2.

Description: Chapter 7 suggests that there are two general families of hypotheses about the sex mortality differential: constitutional - biologic/genetic, and external - social/cultural/environmental/behavioral. The author gives a thorough review of the literature and studies performed. The conclusion offered is that there are significant biological reasons for the differential, but that these are often masked by environmental factors. From Why Men Die Younger: Causes of Mortality Differences by Sex, M-LI01-1.

Description: Chapter 8 states that there is great difficulty in projecting future mortality levels - the changing sex mortality differential is only one of the uncertainties. Some widely varying opinions for the future are offered. From Why Men Die Younger: Causes of Mortality Differences by Sex, M-LI01-1.

Description: Chapter 5 explores the data suggesting that not only is the mortality rate greater for men, but that the rate is greater for men at all age groups. From Why Men Die Younger: Causes of Mortality Differences by Sex, M-LI01-1.

Description: Some of the methods used to measure the sex mortality differential are life expectancy, death rates at a given age, age-adjusted death rates, and average age at death. From Why Men Die Younger: Causes of Mortality Differences by Sex, M-LI01-1.

Description: Transcript of the Q&A period from session 3B. Session focused on Women's longevity issues and Chronic Disability Measurement and cost.

Description: Elderly women living alone experience some of the highest poverty rates in the United States. One reason for their financial frailty is that they face more longevity risk than men. Existing financial products that can mitigate this risk are not attractive to many people. Can alternative vehicles for pooling longevity risk be developed outside the insurance market that would appeal to these individuals? This paper suggests some risk-pooling approaches and compares their effectiveness and viability.

Description: This paper attempts to synthesize the evidence supporting and refuting the hypotheses for the sex mortality differential. From Why Men Die Younger: Causes of Mortality Differences by Sex: Abstract, M-LI01-1.

Description: Chapter 9 conclusions suggest that males have higher mortality throughout the world, at all ages, and for the vast majority of diseases. Evidence also suggests that there are significant biological reasons for the sex mortality differential, but these can be masked by environmental and behavioral factors. The author looks to the Human Genome Project for further understanding of this question. From Why Men Die Younger: Causes of Mortality Differences by Sex, M-LI01-1.