Responding effectively to longer lifespans will require changes in business practices and public policies. Allowing people more freedom of choice regarding the timing of retirement is a good start. Our research (with our colleagues Jocelyn Finlay and Guenther Fink) on male life expectancy in 43 countries between 1965 and 2005 shows an average rise of 8.8 years; for the same period, the mean legal retirement age for men rose by only 0.4 year. Social security systems in many countries create strong incentives for retirement between the ages of 60 and 65. Pension contribution and payout schedules will need to be examined and optimized so as to enable, encourage, and capture the benefits of prolonged careers.