Samuel Moyn argues that while discrimination against older people is real and unacceptable, there’s another side of the issue that often goes unaddressed: the growing concentration of power and wealth among the elderly. In his view, society is increasingly shaped by older generations who hold a disproportionate share of influence, particularly in politics and economics, creating imbalances that affect younger people.
In a New York Times opinion piece tied to his upcoming book Gerontocracy in America, Moyn explains that this dynamic is driven by several factors. Older Americans tend to participate more consistently in elections, especially those with lower turnout, and they control a significant portion of the country’s wealth. They also benefit from tax policies and federal programs that, collectively, provide more advantages compared to what younger generations receive.
Despite this critique, Moyn does not advocate reducing support for seniors. On the contrary, he calls for expanding services such as long-term care. However, he also believes reforms are necessary to rebalance power across age groups. Among his suggestions are setting age limits for high-level political and judicial positions, restructuring voting systems to increase participation among younger people, lowering the voting age, requiring retirement in certain professions, and adjusting tax policies to encourage older homeowners to move into smaller properties, thereby easing housing shortages.
Moyn contends that these kinds of changes should not be seen as discriminatory. Instead, he presents them as necessary steps to address systemic inequality. Without action, he warns, the current imbalance could deepen and place unsustainable strain on society.