Work as a Third Pathway to New Longevity

Objective: To show how work, when redesigned for longer lives and multigenerational teams, can turn population aging into a strategic opportunity for organizations, economic development, and social resilience. State of the Art: Contemporary debates on aging have emphasized pressures on health and pension systems. Responses have largely focused on telemedicine and pension reforms. Recent evidence, however, indicates that lifelong contribution—such as work, learning, and social participation—improves health, purpose, and resilience, generating positive individual and macroeconomic effects. Originality: The article proposes a third pathway beyond the health-pension debate by positioning work as a pillar of longevity. It articulates cultural, organizational, and economic dimensions and presents examples of companies, governments, social entrepreneurs and social innovators that are redesigning practices and models for longer lives. Impacts: The article offers a strategic view of longevity as an opportunity, provides examples applicable to management and public policy, and proposes a conceptual framework for redesigning more inclusive and resilient models of work. SDGs: 3 – Good health and well-being; 8 – Decent work and economic growth; 10 – Reduced inequalities.