Biography

Over the past 40+ years, Dr. Ken Dychtwald has emerged as North America’s foremost visionary and original thinker regarding the lifestyle, marketing, healthcare, economic, leisure, and workforce implications of the age wave.

Ken is a psychologist, gerontologist, and best-selling author of 18 books on aging-related issues, including Bodymind, Age Wave: The Challenges and Opportunities of an Aging Society, Age Power: How the 21st Century Will Be Ruled by the New Old, Healthy Aging, Gideon’s Dream: A Tale of New Beginnings, A New Purpose: Redefining Money, Family, Work, Retirement, and Success and What Retirees Want: A Holistic View of Life’s Third Age (an Amazon #1 bestseller in both the retirement and business marketing categories). He also released a memoir in April 2021: Radical Curiosity: One Man’s Search for Cosmic Magic and a Purposeful Life (an Amazon #1 New Release in the psychologist biographies category). He was the executive producer and host of the highly rated/acclaimed PBS documentary, The Boomer Century: 1946–2046 which aired over 2,000 times on PBS stations nationwide and his new Public Television special is titled Life’s Third Age.

Since 1986, Ken has been the Founder and CEO of Age Wave, an acclaimed think tank and consultancy focused on the social and business implications and opportunities of global aging and rising longevity. His client list has included over half the Fortune 500. He has served as a fellow of the World Economic Forum and was a featured speaker at two White House Conferences on Aging. Ken has twice received the distinguished American Society on Aging Award for outstanding national leadership, and American Demographics honored him as the single most influential marketer to baby boomers over the past quarter century. His article in the Harvard Business Review, “It’s Time to Retire Retirement,” was awarded the prestigious McKinsey Award, tying for first place with the legendary Peter Drucker. He was honored by Investment Advisoras one of the 35 most influential thought leaders in the financial services industry over the past 35 years. Ken and his wife, Maddy, recently received the Esalen Prize for their outstanding contributions to advancing the human potential of aging men and women worldwide. In 2018 he was awarded the Inspire Award from in the International Council on Active Aging for his exceptional and lasting contributions to the active-aging industry and for his efforts to make a difference in the lives of older adults globally. In 2020, he was the first recipient of the Pioneer Award from the Retirement Coaches Association.

During his career, Ken has addressed more than two million people worldwide in his speeches to corporate, association, social service, and government groups. His strikingly accurate predictions and innovative ideas are regularly featured in leading media worldwide and have garnered nearly 15 billion media impressions.

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I have been learning from Ken Dychtwald for years and am convinced that he is today’s most innovative and original thinker on this important subject.
– President Jimmy Carter
Ken Dychtwald has a unique ability to blend cutting-edge social science and unrivaled knowledge about the marketing and workforce implications of the global age wave with world-class presentation showmanship. The response to his talks to our “Committee of 100” leadership has been tremendous and he has managed to earn the highest speaker ratings in our history of meetings. His presentation style is riveting, his knowledge base grows even stronger with the years and his understanding and insightful solutions are truly visionary. I highly recommend Ken Dychtwald to any organization seeking a show-stopping keynoter.
– Thomas J. Donohue, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
You have a real gift for communicating with others. On a scale of 100, you received an average score of 98%. Obviously, this is just about as close to being perfect as you can get. We have enjoyed many top-ranked speakers over the years, including Dr. Victor Frankel, Mother Teresa, David Brinkley, George Will, Chris Matthews, Cokie Roberts, Congressman Claude Pepper and Senator Ted Kennedy, but no one was ever better received than you.
– Val J. Halamandaris, President, National Association for Home Care and Hospice
Ken Dychtwald’s presentation to 500 of the most influential decision makers in the global travel industry was an overwhelming success. In an era of millennial mania; Ken combined cutting-edge demographic trends and entertaining messages to demonstrate that the Boomer and Millennial markets are not mutually exclusive and represent enormous economic power.
– Matthew Upchurch, CEO, Virtuoso, Ltd.
Ken’s keynote presentation for our Health Technologies Forum was off the charts. He is utterly smart, inspiring, and charming. In a word, it was ‘awesome’. A very tough act to follow.
– Dennis A. Robbins, PhD, MPH Technology and Innovation Board Member, American Heart Association
Our Retirement Income Summit is the financial services industry’s premier event for advisors seeking insights into helping investors achieve a successful future. Ken’s involvement made the Summit even more of a must-attend event, and his keynote presentation – an overview of important research findings and practical takeaways delivered with wit and style – was an overwhelming hit. We couldn’t have asked for more.
– Suzanne Siracuse, Publisher, InvestmentNews
Ken Dychtwald changed the way I view the future. In just one hour he unlocked truths so clear and powerful that they are shocking. His understanding of population demographics are utterly critical for any CEO, executive team or government leader to understand. Without it you will not be prepared for what is rapidly approaching – a set of massive changes that will fundamentally affect every aspect of our lives and every industry on Earth.
– Peter H. Diamandis, Chairman/CEO, X PRIZE Foundation & Executive Chairman, Singularity University
Ken Dychtwald’s remarkable ability to command an audience’s attention is unmatched. He presents complex and challenging material with clarity and leaves his audiences wanting more. As a speaker myself, I truly appreciate the preparation and research so evident in Ken’s presentations. No wonder he’s #1 in his space!
– Harvey Mackay, Author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive
In addition to being a gifted social scientist and great and prolific writer on the topic of aging and retirement, Ken Dychtwald’s presentation and communication skills, and his ability to engage all forms of media are beyond impressive.
– Jay Wintrob, President and CEO, SunAmerica Financial Group
Your presentation and the discussion that followed were both interesting and enlightening and we appreciate your contributions. Many times people referred back to your presentation over the two day retreat.
– Dennis Glass, President and CEO, Lincoln Financial Group

Booksby Ken Dychtwald Ph.D.

Radical Curiosity: One Man's Search for Cosmic Magic and a Purposeful Life

What Retirees Want: A Holistic View of Life's Third Age

A New Purpose: Redefining Money, Family, Work, Retirement and Success

Influence: How Women's Soaring Economic Power Will Transform Our World for the Better

A Tale of New Beginnings: Gideon's Dream

The Power Years: A User's Guide to the Rest of Your Life

Age Power

Age Wave: How the Most Important Trend of Our Time Change Your Future

Cycles: How We Will Live, Work ad Buy

Body Mind

Workforce Crisis: How to Beat the Coming Shortage of Skills and Talent

Healthy Aging: Challenges and Solutions

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