Americans are living longer than ever, and Maryland is betting that government alone can’t prepare for that reality. By 2030, roughly 26% of Maryland residents are projected to be age 60 or older, up from about 23% in 2020, prompting state leaders to rethink everything from housing to transportation and workforce policy.
In response, the state enacted the Longevity Ready Maryland Act, making Maryland the first state to permanently embed a “longevity” strategy into law while also creating an Aging Resilience Fund that can accept private philanthropic donations to support aging-related initiatives. Rather than viewing aging solely as a healthcare issue, lawmakers are treating longer lifespans as an economic, housing, transportation, workforce, and public policy challenge. Here’s why Maryland’s approach is attracting national attention and what it could mean for older adults.
Maryland Is Planning for Longer Lives, Not Just Older Adults
The new law directs the Maryland Department of Aging to lead implementation of the Longevity Ready Maryland Plan, a ten-year multisector strategy focused on helping residents thrive as life expectancy increases. Instead of concentrating only on traditional senior services, the plan coordinates housing, transportation, employment, healthcare, caregiving, financial security, and community planning.
Officials estimate that one in four Maryland residents will be age 60 or older by 2030, making long-term planning increasingly urgent. The law also requires regular public reporting and updates to ensure the plan evolves alongside changing demographics.
“We’re aging as a state faster than the rest of the country,” Maryland Department of Aging Secretary Carmel Roques told WYPR. “We are living longer. Now is the time to consider what we need to do as individuals, families, communities, and as a state to adapt.”
Private Donations Could Expand Aging Programs
One of the most innovative aspects of Maryland’s new approach is the creation of the Aging Resilience Fund. Unlike traditional appropriations that depend entirely on annual state budgets, this fund can receive private philanthropic contributions and other eligible funding sources to support aging initiatives.
Because the Aging Resilience Fund is non-lapsing, philanthropic contributions can remain available across multiple fiscal years instead of expiring at the end of a budget cycle. Officials say that flexibility makes it easier to launch pilot programs and attract foundation support that would otherwise be difficult to accept through traditional appropriations.
State officials say the fund provides flexibility to launch pilot programs, strengthen partnerships, and pursue innovative projects that might otherwise be difficult to finance through normal budget processes. According to Maryland Department of Aging Secretary Carmel Roques, having a non-lapsing fund also makes it possible to accept philanthropic support that previously had no permanent home within the department.
The Commission on Aging Is Getting a Broader Voice
The legislation also expands Maryland’s Commission on Aging, which advises state leaders on policies affecting older adults. New representation includes experts in aging, veterans’ issues, and consumer protection, creating a broader range of perspectives when evaluating future policy recommendations. Expanding the commission recognizes that aging affects nearly every part of public life rather than existing solely within healthcare systems. Broader representation may also improve coordination among agencies responsible for housing, transportation, employment, and public safety.
Aging Is Becoming an Economic Issue
One reason Maryland is investing in longevity planning is the growing recognition that aging affects the state’s economy as much as its healthcare system. Longer lifespans create new opportunities for older adults who wish to continue working, volunteering, starting businesses, or serving as caregivers. At the same time, longer retirements require stronger financial planning, accessible housing, and expanded caregiving resources. The Longevity Ready Maryland Plan specifically highlights economic opportunity and financial preparedness as major priorities alongside health and wellness.
Housing, Transportation, and Caregiving Are Central Priorities
The Maryland strategy recognizes that successful aging depends on far more than medical care. Safe housing, reliable transportation, caregiver support, accessible public spaces, and financial stability all influence whether someone can remain independent later in life. Rather than assigning responsibility to a single agency, the law encourages collaboration across multiple state departments to coordinate these services more effectively.
Officials have already highlighted cross-agency work involving housing, dementia support, homelessness prevention, and workforce development. For example, officials are already collaborating with housing agencies on homelessness among older adults, with workforce agencies on caregiver shortages, and with healthcare partners on dementia support resources.
Other States Are Watching Closely
Maryland became one of the first states to codify a comprehensive longevity strategy into law, and aging policy experts are paying attention. As the U.S. population continues aging, many states face similar challenges involving housing affordability, caregiver shortages, workforce participation, healthcare access, and long-term financial security. If Maryland demonstrates measurable improvements through coordinated planning and diversified funding, similar models could appear elsewhere.
While every state will face different demographic pressures, the underlying question remains the same: how should governments prepare for citizens who routinely live into their 90s or beyond? Maryland’s experiment may provide part of the answer.
A New Way of Thinking About Aging
Whether Maryland ultimately becomes a model for other states will depend on measurable results over the next decade. But by treating longevity as an issue that affects housing, transportation, employment, healthcare, and economic development (not just senior services), the state is testing a broader approach to preparing for an aging America.
Do you think other states should adopt a long-term longevity strategy like Maryland’s? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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