Globally, we are witnessing one of society’s greatest achievements – an extension of human longevity more dramatic than in the preceding 4,500 years. Advancements in medicine, public health, and technology will make it even more commonplace for people to live 80, 90, 100 or more years.

The aging and the longevity of the American population present our nation and its families with many new challenges and opportunities. With long life becoming increasingly common, more Americans realize that their retirement plans must address needs that arise over a longer life span. Thus, people with the best chance of achieving and maintaining quality of life in their older years must anticipate these needs and engage in their own comprehensive life course planning.

A life course planning approach maximizes access to information and realistic options so people can:

Through life course planning, everyone – from secure middle-aged people to older Americans who tend to be at greatest risk – can make responsible, informed personal choices in anticipation of their later years.

Life course planning will help middle-aged and older Americans maintain optimal health and independence. Health problems frequently associated with advanced age are largely preventable and can be controlled by adopting healthy lifestyles, including proper nutrition, adequate physical activity, an end to tobacco consumption, moderate use of alcohol, and immunization against influenza and pneumonia. Older people also need information about the many available health and long-term care options. Making the best choice often depends upon receiving timely, accurate information about the delivery systems that are most responsive to an individual’s personal circumstances.

Adequate income and assets are critically important to enable well-being in virtually all dimensions of life in the later years. Experts estimate that retirees will need, on average, 70% of their pre-retirement income to maintain their standard of living when they stop working.

Most people do not realize that Social Security pays the average person about 40% of their earnings when they retire at age 65. Many people now employed haven’t even attempted to learn how much they must save to achieve a comfortable retirement, and they remain unsure about how much money they will need to save. For many reasons, many older women and minorities cannot meet their financial needs over their life course. Women thus make up almost three-quarters of all older persons below the poverty level. Whether or not people plan well for their older years will clearly determine their financial well-being and quality of life.

Most older people prefer to remain in their own homes during their later years. Some older individuals will modify their homes to remain in familiar surroundings even if they become frail and vulnerable. A move to a new living arrangement, whether required by frailty or by chronic illness, can be traumatic. It can entail leaving both a familiar, lifelong home and ties to supportive neighbors.

Life course plans must consider whether current living arrangements will work if frailty or chronic illnesses become factors. These plans must consider the physical design of a dwelling. They must also consider whether adequate access to transportation, shopping, and services will make it possible for individuals to remain involved in their communities.

According to a national Wall Street Journal and NBC News survey, current retirees voice more interest in active lifestyles, which included the option to work, than their parents’ generation. Those looking ahead to retirement, starting with baby boomers, are even more likely to view retirement as an opportunity to start a new life with new activities. Active engagement includes the pursuit of employment and volunteer opportunities. It also includes lifelong learning and other activities that keep middle-aged and older individuals involved in their communities. Research shows that actively engaged individuals are more likely to remain mentally and physically stimulated and as a result enjoy a better quality of life.

The pace and course of societal and marketplace changes create compelling consumer protection needs for older Americans. Older people are often the targets of unscrupulous business practices. Consumer information and protection resources give people many options as they develop life course plans and make daily purchasing decisions. This includes information about a company’s products and services, such as complaints about inadequate service or compliments for outstanding customer service.

A rich body of information is available about how to maintain physical and mental health, achieve an adequate level of economic security, remain as independent and safe as possible, live an active and productive life, and be a wise consumer. Taken together, this valuable information can help form durable individual life course plans. The aging and the longevity of the population provide new opportunities and responsibilities for people to plan for much longer life spans than ever before in the history of humankind. Fortunately, many public and private resource organizations, web sites, books, and other sources of technical assistance can help.