Baby Boomers

Baby Boomer is a term that we hear thrown about a lot these days. From retailers to Social Security everybody is either afraid of the baby boomers, or just wondering exactly who the heck are the baby boomers. So being one myself I thought I should take just a little time to explain.With over one half of the boomers spending their teenage years in the 1960’s it can be said that there are actually two groups of boomers.
Those who were born earlier in the boomer curve (’46 – ’52) lived through a time of protest and social unrest and some feel that they elated by the baby boomers or just wondering exactly who the heck are the baby boomers. So being one myself I thought I should take just a little time to explain.
The United States Census Bureau defines a baby boomers as “anyone born during the years 1946 to 1964“. they further define these years as the “demographic birth boom” or “the post World War II birth boom“.
Others further interpret the numbers into peak years, such as the height of the baby boom occurred between 1952 and 1957. My Mother always said that I would peak early. With over one half of the boomers spending their teenage years in the 1960’s it can be said that there are actually two groups of boomers.
Those who were born earlier in the boomer curve (’46 – ’52) lived through a time of protest and social unrest and some feel that they paved the way for the second group which was born later in the curve (’53 – ’64).Yes Mom, the hippies were baby boomers and now look at us with the AARP card in one pocket and our Medicare card in the other (boomers will begin to turn 65 in 2011). All of that protesting against the “establishment” and guess what we became the establishment.If you like statistics here are some boomer stats for you:

• Seventy-six million American children were born between 1946 and 1964
• 28% of the U.S. population (20% are under 20 and 13% are over 85)
• In 1965, 36 percent of the population of the United States was under the age of 18. Currently, only 18 percent of the population is under the age of 18
• 70% of the members of Congress (you can’t blame anyone else, it’s our fault)
• 50% of all consumer goods sold in the U.S.
• take 48% of prescription medications
• own 50% of the U.S. assets
• 75% currently work
• 58% can list college on their resume
• 40% do not plan on retiring until forced to by health concerns
• 65% do not or are not sure they have enough money saved to retire

When surveyed, boomers are happy, they are much more active then the previous generation and are optimistic about the future, their life expectancy is 10 years longer than that of their parents and thanks to a healthier lifestyle they look younger as well.

So what the heck is a Baby Boomer –AWESOME MAN, AWESOME !!