Why Boomers Will Retire More Comfortably Than Their Parents

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You must be smoking that whacky tabacky! My dad is living a much better retirement than I could ever dream of. I'll be lucky if I get 5 years unless we get another boom like we had in the 90's.

al of NM 9:18AM September 15, 2009

Retiring, and creating meaning and meaningful activity in one's life, are not mutually exclusive choices as some commentators have suggested.
The simple fact is that corporate environments have become increasingly less inviting in terms of how employees are treated and valued, commitment of senior management to creating first class products and services, and the pride one can take in his/her work results (once the Legal, Compliance and HR departments are through with them) that, if one can afford to do it, there is much to argue for leaving the workplace.

Vic Bary of NJ 4:18PM September 14, 2009

Life in and of itself has no meaning unless we attach meaning to it. What is the best way to personify one's own life then to continue to contribute to the betterment of society in some way. Growing old is not much of an accomplishment in itself and I think retirees realize this when they put themselves out to pasture. You may live many more years after you "retire", but that does not necessarily mean that you will either enjoy your retirement or be financially stable enough to whether the number of years you will continue to kick around after you hang up your spurs. Working into later life just makes sense.

Ken of KS 4:53AM September 13, 2009

Clinical research has shown that retired people have a higher rate of dementa, depression, and sucide.
Don't retire rewire.
Life is to be lived, not a destination.
Enjoying what you do to the point that you can not tell work from play is the most satisfying living.
Life is a series of choices. Choise wisely.

RWBenson of WV 10:26AM September 12, 2009

My dad retired from the military after 25 years at 47. I'am still working at 60+ and will never get a pension with full medical coverage.

D of TX 4:10PM September 11, 2009

Without a doubt, the boomer generation will have more people like first poster below (whom I congratulate on good decisions and apparent good fortune.) John Bogle (Vanguard Mutual Funds) recently pointed out here in an article at USNWR that the 1980s and 1990s were "special" decades for the stock market, previously unprecedented, and never to be repeated. Those who got in and out correctly (or fortuitously) have been rewarded beyond their wildest imaginations. Others? Not so good an outlook going forward.
The boomer generation will ALSO (without a doubt) have more elderly homeless, more shell-shocked veterans still in Vietnam-era turmoil, and more seniors struggling along in what once were thought to be "entry-level" jobs at McDonald's and Walmart. Why? They will have no choice, due to living "too long".
There are broader questions, too. More "older" people should produce more national wisdom, right? Based on "senior" voters going for McCain in last election over Obama by 53% over 45%, the evidence is precisely to the opposite so far.
Can more seniors in a society get you more wars? Can more seniors in a society get you more scams, boom/busts? Bear in mind it was NOT the liberals who brought you either Iraq
or the near-collapse of the financial world---the one that has momentarily been saved by government intervention.
So, long term, the jury is out on how well America is going to fare with more seniors than ever before as us boomers "retire".

Muser of NM 12:27PM September 11, 2009

Our family is clearly not typical. I voluntarily retired at 56 and the wife will do so shortly at a similar age, with no financial worries thanks to savings and prudent investing. From 2004 to 2009, our net worth grew, even though our portfolio took an overall hit of 18% in 2008, again by saving roughly 30% of our gross salaries. If you don't spend much, you can save. Busy?, our volunteer work with non profits has been part of our lives for the past three decades, and retirement can be just as busy as work. The advantage to retirement is choice. t

t of WI 9:27AM September 11, 2009