Population decline in the US is not temporary, but multi-generational. I don't think the causes are mysterious, but I do think the effects are underestimated.

We can compensate for fewer people three ways:

1. Retaining “elder wisdom.” Instead of throwing people out at an arbitrary age we need to retain their contributions and make it easy for them to provide their wisdom. But these people have a limited time left to contribute.

2. Immigration has traditionally helped the US hugely, but even with an intelligent immigration policy (if we ever get to one) there are fewer people elsewhere in the world who will immigrate.

3. Technology will hugely help, as we're seeing (and will probably create jobs, not just eliminate jobs).

However: Social security can't be supported under the current math given declining members of the workforce. Other entitlements will also be undercut and “safety nets” will fray. There will be fewer social and civic services. We're already seeing some small towns withering away. We'll soon have more people over 65 than children in the US, which is unprecedented. A growing “senior” community demands more geriatric services and support. (Yet many municipalities are spending huge amounts on schools that won't be needed.)

We're comfortable “kicking the can down the road” because some estimates cite 2080 or so as the “collapse” date and we're comfortable we'll figure something out by then. But the Institute for Family Studies claims that 2050 is the more logical break point, and most of you reading this will be alive then and looking toward the benefits that exist today that might not exist then.

Think about that.