Episode 9:2 Nora Super on Healthy Longevity and Financial Security

The new executive director of Milken Institute’s Center for the Future of Aging has a bird’s eye view on everything impacting aging. Former roles include chief lobbyist at AARP during the Affordable Care Act's enactment, and appointment by President Obama in 2014 to lead the White House conference on Aging.

About Nora

As executive director of Milken’s Institute Center for the Future of Aging, Nora Super provides strategic direction for two primary focus areas: Healthy Longevity and Financial Security. In 2020, she launched the Milken Institute Alliance to Improve Dementia Care, which seeks to transform and improve the complex health and long-term care systems that people at risk for and living with dementia must navigate. Super is a respected thought leader, frequent speaker, and prolific writer on healthy longevity and the economic and social impact of global population aging.

From 2014 to 2016, Super served as the executive director of the White House Conference on Aging, where she received wide recognition for her nationwide efforts to improve the lives of older Americans. She has also held leadership roles at the US Department of Health and Human Services, AARP, Kaiser Permanente, and USAging.

Key Takeaways

• Population aging is affecting all countries across the globe.   A perfect storm is coming with people living longer and not having the financial means to live well.
• Covid brought awareness of the negative impact of long periods of social isolation and lack of engagement.
• Healthy longevity and financial security are intertwined—the healthier you are, the longer you can work or earn money and stay active. The more financial security you have, the more likely you're going to have access to  fresh air and secure housing, which impacts your health.
• The Milken Institute released a report last year on new approaches to long-term care access for middle-income retirees. 15% of Boomers will incur more than $250,000 in long-term care costs: fewer than 40% of workers and 34% of retirees are reserving funds for long-term care and medical expenses in retirement.
• Dementia in the U.S. will nearly double over the next 20 years. Alzheimer’s disproportionately impacts women and diverse communities.