Is there an American Way of Aging?

This study examines the income dynamics of retired individuals over the first 12 years of retirement. Two questions are asked: (1) Are the economic experiences of U.S. elderly unique, or are they similar to the experiences of the elderly in Germany? and (2) What is the role of social security in these economic experiences? The results show that there are major differences between the two countries in the experiences of retired individuals as they age. Retired Germans generally maintain their living standards as they age, whereas retired Americans experience falling living standards.