Senior Social Capital and Longevity: Toward a Strategic Model of Capitalization in Contemporary Societies

Abstract

Population aging is one of the most significant demographic transformations of the twenty-first century. Rising life expectancy and declining fertility rates have led to increasingly long-lived societies in which older adults represent a growing population group with extensive educational, professional, and social trajectories. However, this reality coexists with persistent forms of ageism that limit the recognition of their contributions and capabilities. This article examines senior social capital as a strategic asset for contemporary societies. Drawing on an interdisciplinary theoretical review that integrates contributions from the sociology of aging, social gerontology, and social capital theory, the study explores the potential of older generations to strengthen social cohesion, knowledge transfer, and intergenerational cooperation through their relational networks, accumulated experience, and mentoring capacity. As a conceptual contribution, the article proposes the Senior Social Capitalization Model (SSCM), an analytical framework designed to understand how the experience and social resources of older adults can be transformed into a strategic asset for social, organizational, and economic development. The model suggests that mobilizing this capital promotes intergenerational knowledge transmission, strengthens community networks, and contributes to the development of more resilient institutions. Recognizing and capitalizing on senior social capital not only enhances the well-being and active participation of older adults but also provides an opportunity to advance toward more inclusive, collaborative, and sustainable societies in contexts of increasing longevity.