Catherine Collinson, CEO and President of the non-profit Transamerica Institute®, has been recognized as an Influencer in Aging by Next Avenue, a PBS media service for America's older population.
Next Avenue describes Collinson as one of the sharpest retirement researchers in the world: "The 2018 Influencer in Aging has been surveying workers and employers about retirement for nearly 20 years, publishing incisive reports that note trends and offer keen advice for employees and employers. Her goal: to help more people have financially secure retirements globally."
The award recognizes advocates, researchers, thought leaders, innovators, writers and experts who continue to push beyond traditional boundaries and change our understanding of what it means to grow older through their work.
Interviewed by Next Avenue, Collinson was asked what she would change she would like to make to aging in America. In response, Collinson said, "Advances in medicine and technology are extending the length and quality of our lives. Unfortunately, outdated societal beliefs threaten our ability to enjoy this extraordinary gift. We must overcome ageism and help people envision and prepare for longer, healthier lives."
Over a number of years, Collinson has helped shape a number of aging-related industry thought leadership initiatives, including the founding of the non-profit Transamerica Institute and Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies® (TCRS).
Collinson has testified before Congress about employer-sponsored retirement plans and is a member of the advisory board of the Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging. In 2016, the Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER) gave Collinson its Hero Award for her work improving retirement security among women.
The Transamerica Institute is funded by contributions from Aegon's U.S. subsidiary, Transamerica Life Insurance Company and its affiliates, and may receive funds from unaffiliated third parties. The institute collaborates closely with the Aegon Center for Longevity and Retirement, based in the Netherlands, and the Instituto de Longevidade Mongeral Aegon in Brazil.
Read Next Avenue's full interview with Catherine Collinson here