The German system was created at a time when the median life expectancy was roughly 42 years.

FORBES: Fixing The Nagging Problem Of Social Security

By the 1930s, the median life expectancy had increased to about 59 years.

FORBES: Fixing The Nagging Problem Of Social Security

The median life expectancy of someone diagnosed with ALS is 39 months, and only 4% survive 10 years.

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Over the past 70-plus years since Social Security was enacted, our standard of living has dramatically increased and medical science substantially lengthened the median life expectancy.

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Today, the median life expectancy is approximately 78 years.

FORBES: Fixing The Nagging Problem Of Social Security