Published in the New York Times on January 8, 2001

To the Editor:

I agree with Laura L. Carstensen (Op-Ed, Jan. 2) that an older, more mature society should be a cause for celebration. To maximize the benefits of a long life, younger Americans must act now to reduce the risk of outliving their resources.

We can encourage people to plan for a "brand-new old age" by making premiums for long-term care insurance fully tax deductible. This would help prevent longer life spans from becoming a burden to the nation, and help individuals avoid financial ruin.

THOMAS M. CASSIDY
White Plains, NY

The writer is a senior fellow, Institute for SocioEconomic Studies