Working beyond retirement age is one of the few issues that receives bipartisan consensus in Washington. US President Donald Trump will turn 80 this year, while Joe Biden will leave office at 82, both breaking records for age in office since Ronald Reagan.

In the US Congress, Republican Senator Chuck Grassley is 92 years old, while Democratic Representative Maxine Waters is 87 years old. It is not uncommon for members of congress to pass away while in office; in 2025 alone, there were three such cases, all aged 70 or older.

Rahm Emanuel, former White House chief of staff under Barack Obama, recently called for a mandatory retirement age of 75 for presidents, cabinet members, members of congress, and federal judges. Emanuel stated this rule would also apply to him if he were to return to a significant position in Washington later.

"Washington needs a power overhaul", said Emanuel, 66 years old, who is considering a presidential bid in 2028.

Former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel in Washington, july 2025. Photo: AFP

US voters have paid increasing attention to age and term limits in recent years, as their choices for candidates have been older. A YouGov poll published in january showed that 73% of adult Americans believe there should be an age limit for the presidency, and 69% said a similar option is needed for the Senate and House of Representatives.

Signs of age-related decline from Biden in 2024 caused significant damage to the Democratic Party. President Trump's health, at 79 years old, recently drew attention with bruises appearing on his hands and the need for imaging tests. He sometimes closes his eyes at events, leading some to suggest he is dozing off.

The White House explained the bruises were due to Trump's frequent handshakes, and regular aspirin use for cardiovascular protection could also lead to easy bruising. President Trump denied reports of dozing off in meetings, asserting he was only relaxing. He has repeatedly stated he is in perfect health.

Nearly half of the nine US Supreme Court justices, a position with lifetime tenure, are over 70 years old. The average age of federal judges in the country in 2024 was 67,7, according to a survey.

The US Congress is also noticeably aging. Data from the Congressional Research Service shows the average age of the House of Representatives increased from 50,7 to 57,9 between 1987-2025, while in the Senate, it rose from 54,4 to 63,9 years old. The House of Representatives has 45 members over 75 years old; this number is 17 people in the Senate.

NBC News described in january that the US had the third oldest Congress in history, with an average age of 58,9 at the start of the term in january 2025. Meanwhile, the median age of the US population is 39,1.

"This is the greatest nursing home in the world", quipped Judd Gregg, a Republican. He previously served as a representative, governor of New Hampshire, and senator before retiring in 2011 at 64 years old. "You can go there and do very interesting things, instead of playing cards or golf".

Nick Tomboulides, executive director of the nonpartisan organization US Term Limits, which advocates for a constitutional amendment to limit congressional terms, stated the core issue is not age but the incumbent's advantage in the US political system.

"When they can run for reelection for a long time with virtually no formidable opponents, many politicians lack the motivation to relinquish power, even if their capabilities and contributions have diminished", Tomboulides said.

Emanuel stated his proposal is not only about age but also part of a broader reform package that Washington urgently needs. According to him, forcing officials to leave positions in the executive, judicial, and legislative branches at 75 years old would give Washington a fresh start, but he admitted there is no specific scientific or medical reason for choosing this age.

"You can go teach and contribute to America in many other ways, rather than serving until 93 years old", Emanuel said. "If you haven't made your mark by 75, you won't do it at 78".

Emanuel's proposal echoes a central idea in the 2024 presidential campaign of former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. She called for term limits for members of congress and mandatory "cognitive competency tests" for politicians over 75 years old.

Haley called Emanuel's suggestion "better than nothing" but believed it would almost certainly never pass Congress. According to her, the US government is out of sync with the private sector, where businesses apply age limits of 72 or 75 for board members to refresh leadership teams.

"While aging differs for everyone, at a certain point things don't operate as quickly as before, you're not as sharp, and you lack energy", she continued.

Republican Senator Chuck Grassley in Washington, july 2024. Grassley is currently 92 years old, the oldest member of the US Congress. Photo: AFP

Older members of congress argue that seniority and experience help them understand how the system works and bring practical benefits to constituents. This is also a factor that helps them continue to attract support when running for reelection.

Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Jim Risch is running for reelection in november, and if elected, he will finish his six-year term at 89 years old. Risch stated he still loves the job and wants to participate in debates on global issues.

"You really have to love this job, have enough time for family and health. If you are healthy and doing what you want, then why not continue?", Risch questioned.

Gregg also opposed arbitrarily imposing a retirement age.

"It takes a great deal of time to understand how the federal government operates", the former senator said. "Until you grasp the machinery, you cannot be considered a voice of substance. It took me at least ten years to thoroughly understand budget issues".

As Tam (According to WSJ, NBC News, Reuters)