The Upside of Aging: How Long Life Is Changing the World of Health, Work, Innovation, Policy and Purpose

Chapter 14 Financial Security: Longevity Changes Everything²⁶

Dan Houston

President—Retirement, Insurance and Financial Services, the Principal Financial Group

Today’s worker, armed with the right savings vehicles, sound guidance, and self-discipline, can ensure that aging is a time of fulfillment, as opposed to a time fraught with financial stress.

The two most defining moments for me both occurred before my twenty-second birthday. I had already convinced Joanie, the love of my life, to marry me, a union that happily stands more than 30 years later.

In graduating with four job offers, I was doubly fortunate, and my career decision ultimately came from the heart as well. I joined a company with a mission I could embrace—to help growing businesses and their employees achieve financial security and success.

The job, with the Principal Financial Group, quickly became a cause for me—my life’s work. I soon learned that today’s worker, armed with the right savings vehicles, sound guidance, and self-discipline, can ensure that aging is a time of fulfillment, as opposed to a time fraught with financial stress. Today’s aging generation has more choices than ever before about how to spend the years traditionally categorized as “retirement.” Ensuring the financial well-being of this older population will not only benefit its individuals, but the economy and the country as a whole.

Over the years, I’ve spoken with literally thousands of plan sponsors and financial advisors about financial ...