The Baby Boomers Turn 65

Reader Comments
Back to article

It's difficult to paint an accurate picture of American's economic outlook for the future because no one wants to address one very obvious fact: We have at least 12 million illegals in this country, they are undocumented, unaccounted for and they sap our Health, Education and Welfare system. How does that figure into the economic equation? Americans are supporting this underclass who are not even here legally.

Donna Laino of TX 4:03PM September 20, 2011

It says in the article...
"Those who delay Medicare enrollment because they are still working and covered by a group health insurance plan must sign up within eight months after their coverage ends to avoid the penalty."
Also, my mother, who is 69 is still working and covered by a group policy so she is not eligible for Medicare yet. I just spoke with her and that is what she told me.

Kim of TX 3:15PM April 22, 2011

I AM SO CONFUSED ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT I SHOULD TAKE MEDICARE PART B. EVERYONE I SPEAK TO TELL ME ANOTHER STORY. I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD KEEP MY OXFORD PLAN EVEN THOUGH IT'S SMALL GROUP (5 PEOPLE). I HEARD THAT OXFORD IS ONE OF THOSE COMPANIED THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE YOU TO OPT INTO PART B. I KNOW ABOUT PART A BECOMING PRIMARY FOR HOSPITAL ONLY. CAN SOMEONE SHSED SOME LIGH ON THIS FOR ME. CAN OXFORD REMAIN MY PRIMARY UNTIL I RETIRE OR LOSE BENEFITS.

MARCY MARTIN of NY 3:19PM April 19, 2011

Age 65! Recently divorced I do not have other options, but to continue to work. Once retired (after 32 years), I returned to federal government (after having worked in private industry, for 4 years). No complaints here, although the transition back into life as a fed has been less than stellar. In fact it has been somewhat depressing. Nevertheless I /we have a pension (old system) TSP (401K) health and life. Nothing else to say.
Work is out there for experienced and dedicated people. Don't give up!

NOT AN OLD LADY of MD 11:02AM April 07, 2011

Turning 65 in October, the company I worked for, bellied up in 2009. Right at the worst part of the unemployment crises. I haven't found any work since. I'm healthy for a 64 year old and, I'm not stupid and would contribute to a new companies growth. My UI benifits are about to run out. Medicare seems my only option, however, I've read and heard so many horror stories about Doctors refusing Medicare assignment. What to do? What to do?

Kerry Campbell of TX 1:35PM April 06, 2011

I didn't graduate from college until I was 40 because of divorce and single parenthood....I landed a good job within the library system in my county and thought I "had it made" with a pension and health benefits. Big surprise two years ago...the system was "out-
sourced" and I not longer had a pension building or a union to protect my job. Two years ago I went from being full-time salaried employee to a 30-hr a week hourly employee paying a big chunk for my health insurance.....I will be 66 in a few months..
I am hanging on to my job for as long as it exists because I really do need the money if I ever want to do anything like travel or buy a new car. I could "exist" on social security and the small pension from the library when there was a union....less than $600 a month. But the biggest problem I would have if I quit would not be financial: it would be emotional. I am single and my grandchildren do not live close by....I would be at a loss as to what to do with my days. I do not want to become one of those "sad sack" seniors that talk about their aching joints and latest health problem...and that's what I mainly see in retired people who do not at least work part-time or have some avid interest. Staying active is vitally important....and if you need the money (which I do) and love your job (which I do) I'd have to be insane to quit. If forced to quit, I wouldn't waste a day complaining..I'd be looking for another one or volunteering to stay active and contributing to something worthwhile, not turning inward and looking for sympathy for all your aches and pains. My brothers and sisters of The Boomer Age, remember who you are....don't fall prey to the myths of aging....you are still valuable and can contribute something to the community around you, and you will live longer and happier....don't quit!!!!

Melodie Earickson of CA 10:17AM April 06, 2011

I loved my job in healthcare, been a nurse since I started in 64. Then in 2007, due to the long hours, 24 hours of call a week plus Holidays et al (and do remember that being on call for hospital staff is not an 8 hour period of call but an around the clock period of time) I had a heart attack and then two more in a period of six weeks.
I retired on disability, grudgingly.
However, having done so, even in a disabled state, I find life is very good. I am always here for the grandkids. I can finally catch up on my reading. I can stay up all night and watch dvd's if I want. I once had ice cream and cherry pie filling for breakfast, yummy! Yes, after so many years of doing for my first family, my husband's and my own family, the hospital and so on, finally. . . it is time for me.
Well, time to go get a hair cut. Like I tell the family, I do not have the health to do much more than grow hair. So I let it grow for three years and now it goes to locks of love for someone who can't grow hair.
And you thought I was good for nothing! LOL We can always find a way to help others while enjoying ourselves too. Took me a long time to discover that. This is my time of life and I am glad I lived long enough to get here.

Ann Nonymous of FL 10:06AM April 06, 2011

Will turn 65 in october. Vietnam Veteran.

David of IL 8:12AM February 12, 2011

I am 57, so I have a ways to go to reach that mythical age of retirement. But to hear people talk, that is all they have to look forward to. Sandy beaches in Florida, playing bingo, or watching hours of TV seem like a futile destination point to me. There must be more to life than this life, or we really are a miserable lot. I am no escapist, I am a firm believer in planning ahead, and I try to enjoy life to the fullest, but for me the best years of my life are always ahead of me. . .in a life to come. Thanks to the Lord's salvation, and Christ being real to me, I have something better to look forward to that sure beats any check any government or pension fund can give to me. I have never seen a U-Haul at a funeral anyway. One life we live will soon be past, and only that which is lived for Christ will last.

Chris Humphreys of OK 4:05PM February 10, 2011

I will be 65 in Feb. 2011 and have been retired since March 31st. Yes, my check is about $100 less..big deal! I left my high-stress job and will live longer because I made this decision. I have enjoyed almost a year tending my home (I still make house and vehical payments), loving having a life with my grandchildren instead of being under the thumb of a very controlling boss. You must think about quality of life. Trying to work a few more years to get a couple hundred bucks more a month? You may not live long enough to ever see that. I am healthly, but, everyone knows anyone can drop dead at any moment. I am just giving some, another angle. I do have a fairly nice retirement plus my social security, so that did help me. The very minute I got to the rule of 80, I was out of there!!! I will be selling my house soon and downsize to a much lower payment or none. Then, the world will be at my fingertips. I would do the same thing, again. Just please remember...if you enjoy your job, that's one thing, but early retirement was the best decision I ever made!
If I should need extra money, I have several avenues for that, as well.

Georgia of TX 10:31AM January 19, 2011