Stanford Longevity Panel Highlights Need for Lifelong Learning

Experts discuss how longer lifespans require rethinking work and education

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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A conference at Stanford University's Center on Longevity examined how increased life expectancy is changing the traditional model of work and retirement. Experts from academia, business, nonprofits, and government discussed the need for lifelong learning and continuous skill development to support longer careers. The conference explored ideas like talent mobility, senior gap years, and partnerships between younger and older workers to navigate the shifting landscape of employment.

Why it matters

As people are living 30 years longer on average compared to a century ago, the traditional model of working until age 65 and then retiring is no longer viable. Rethinking education and learning throughout one's lifetime is crucial to enable people to adapt to changing job requirements and finance their extended working years.

The details

The conference featured panels examining how employers can better utilize older workers, the importance of learning at all stages of life, and innovative education models to provide lifelong skills development. Speakers highlighted programs like Manulife's Longevity Institute, Danone's Octave personal development initiative, and Maryland's paid service option for high school graduates. The discussions emphasized the need to move beyond a 4-year college degree and embrace 'precision learning' and 'all kinds of learning' to 'future-proof' people's careers.

  • The Century Summit VI conference was held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 and Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at Stanford University.

The players

Anna Trumbore

Chief digital officer at the University of Virginia.

Mitchell Stevens

Stanford sociologist and professor of education, co-director of the Stanford Center on Longevity.

Martha Deevy

Associate Director of the Stanford Center on Longevity.

Tracey Layney

Human resources expert and former executive vice president and chief human resources officer at Levi Strauss & Co.

Peter Cappelli

Professor of management at the Wharton School.

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What they’re saying

“We'll all have to re-skill much more frequently than we thought.”

— Martha Deevy, Associate Director of the Stanford Center on Longevity (piedmontexedra.com)

“The failure to hire older workers 'is because of discrimination,' he said, adding that such bias makes no sense. Older workers are committed workers, out of the child-rearing years, and experienced. The problem 'is not that there isn't a need or that they're not good at' working, Cappelli argued. So 'you just have to start suing people.'”

— Peter Cappelli, Professor of management at the Wharton School (piedmontexedra.com)

What’s next

The conference organizers plan to publish a report summarizing the key ideas and recommendations discussed at the event to share with policymakers, employers, and educational institutions.

The takeaway

As people live longer, the need for continuous learning and skill development throughout one's career is becoming essential. Employers, educators, and policymakers must work together to create new models that 'future-proof' people's ability to adapt to changing job requirements and finance extended working lives.