When Social Security began paying benefits in 1940, the average 65-year-old male had a life expectancy of 11.9 more years. By 2018, this figure had increased to 18.1 years, while the retirement age had increased by one year. This amounts to a 44% increase in the time spent collecting old-age benefits. For females, the increase has been 46%. This is one of three major factors contributing to the financial problems of Social Security. The other two are detailed at the first link below. The second link below debunks the common false belief that Social Security has financial troubles because it has been looted.