Since the launch of Medicare in 1965, the general eligibility age for benefits has stayed at 65 years old, while increases in life expectancy have extended the average time that people receive benefits by about 35%. This rising life expectancy without any increase in the age at which people become eligible for Medicare is one of the primary factors driving the program’s unfunded obligations. These amount to $60.8 trillion for the program, which is about 50% more than the national debt, or an average of $226,000 from all current participants in the program, including both taxpayers and beneficiaries.