Description: The widening gap in life span between high- and low-income Americans may be eroding the progressivity of Social Security retirement benefits. Differential longevity trends have had the effect of raising lifetime benefits for high earners but not for low earners. Social Security’s long-term financial problems result in part from an increase in average life expectancy driven by wealthier people living longer, and, thereby, collecting more benefits. Policymakers should not use funding shortfalls attributable to these trends as an excuse to cut monthly benefits alike for those who have gained (high earners) and for those who haven’t (low earners).

Description: The article is a memorial to the life, work and accomplishments of the influential actuary Jeremy Gold. It describes his career and education in finance and how he used his background to fight for better risk management of pension plans especially those sponsored by state and local governments. It describes his research and important published papers, along with his involvement in the effort to educate the actuarial profession about financial economics. Some personal anecdotes are also included.