It seems inevitable in self-interested societies with flat or top heavy population age histograms, especially in a democracy.

Empires grow great when the old plant trees for the shade they'll never sit in.

Shit, could you imagine boomers with that mindset. The last time i remember being around old folks with that mentality i was in high school, i swear they did exist though. Lots of wonderful old folks with perspective. I miss them. I'd say if they were still around theyd be well over 100 now.

I don’t think it is fair to compare people’s motivations before the advent of healthcare that could extend their lives for 10+ years to people’s motivations after the advent of healthcare.

It is possible both groups of people were just as self-interested, but one did not have the capacity to spend more resources in retirement, simply because they did not have the option to live as long.

not really, my personal anecdotes were actualy nonagenarians, well-off too.

Also, fairness has got nothing to do with it. Plus, If we can only judge the outcome of circumstances based on arbitrary notions of fairness and not actual results it becomes easy to rationalize any outcome.