Overview

The majority of midlife Americans ages 45 to 64 can expect to remain in the workforce for another 10 to 20 years. Yet as they bridge the gap between the first half of their working life and retirement, the baby boom generation faces increasing risks for serious health problems and difficulties in securing adequate health coverage.

While a modicum of health and income protections are assured by Medicare and Social Security at age 65, The Commonwealth Fund 1999 National Survey of Workers' Health Insurance finds that millions of midlife Americans have no such guarantee—and may face more dire consequences than younger adults. The fragile nature of job-based health insurance leaves adults who have reached middle age vulnerable in the face of heightened risk for chronic disease, disability, or loss of employment.

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