The original essays and commentary in this volume--the third in a series
reporting the results of the NBER Economics of Aging Program--address
issues that are of particular importance to the well-being of
individuals as they age and to a society at large that is composed
increasingly of older persons. The contributors examine social security
reform, including an analysis of the Japanese system; present the
startling finding that the vast majority of people choose the wrong
accumulation strategies for their pension plans; explore the continuing
consequences of the decline in support of parents by children in the
postwar period; investigate the relation between nursing home stays and
the source of payment for the care; and offer initial findings on the
implications of differences between developed and developing countries
for understanding aging issues and determining appropriate directions
for research.