The Old Shall Inherit the Earth

In 1900, the average life expectancy for a newborn was 47.3 years; by 2003, it had reached 77.6 years. But people who turned 65 in 2000 could expect to live much longer, another 18 years. These increases are due not just to medical advances in treating chronic illnesses such as heart disease but also to people adopting healthier lifestyles.

That's from an SF Chron writeup of a new Census Bureau report on the aging of America.

Details here.