Republican Plans to Raise Retirement Age Fall Heavily on Poor
- Their life expectancies stagnate as the affluent live longer
- For Virginia man, eating is optional after life of labor
Demonstrators protest cuts to Social Security in Washington, D.C.
Photographer: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
Republican presidential candidates’ rationale for raising the retirement age, that we’re all living longer, holds true for those with multiple diplomas, homes in safe neighborhoods and a plan for golden-age leisure. In other words, for the wealthy.
For the poor, research shows that as incomes have stagnated, so have life expectancies.