By Lauren Keiper
Thu Nov 17, 2011 3:31pm EST
(Reuters) – The ranks of the nation’s oldest residents are growing quickly now that people who reach age 90 are expected to live longer than ever before, according to a study released on Thursday.
The number of Americans age 90 and older nearly tripled in the past three decades, to the current 1.9 million from 720,000 in 1980, said a report from the U.S. Census Bureau.
That number may reach 9 million by 2050, according to the report titled “90+ in the United States: 2006-2008.”
“I think it’s going to grow even faster than predicted in the report,” said Richard Suzman, director of behavioral and social research at the National Institute on Aging, which commissioned the study.
More folks over the age of 90 means increased stress on pension and retirement funds, health care costs and caretaker relationships with younger generations, the study said.
A person who makes it to 90 years old today is expected to live almost another five years, the study said. And, a person who lives to celebrate a 100th birthday is likely to live another 2.3 years
AGE of Central Texas Blog 
I wonder how much difference the mortality rate is for the generation of today? Is it expected to deflate because of the numerous health risks? Or would it be higher, if recent strides in better health is any indication?