The Baby Boomers Turn 65

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Well-said betteboomer! I will be 65 in October 2011. And I am very grateful for having union (IBEW) employment for my last 20 years which has provided me with a pension benefit each month as well as a retirement savings plan. I 'retired' in August 2010 due to a drastic slowdown in our local work picture. Without the pension and retirement savings plan, I would be left with only Social Security benefits to draw upon - not a pretty picture. Unfortunately, many retirees face the prospect of only having S.S. benefits available to them. I plan to begin working again on a part-time basis (less than 40 hrs. per month) through the local union dispatch office once I turn 65 and take small jobs that become available. I would also like to find a way to help the many brothers and sisters in our local who are currently out-of-work and face dim prospects for the immediate future. Best wishes to all the baby boomers out there - it's been quite a ride!

Michael Sugawara of CA 4:43AM January 19, 2011

For over 5 years now to make ends meet and I am a baby boomer but not retiring anytime soon

gt of NC 2:18PM January 18, 2011

I totally agree. To pay a President for the rest of his life after serving 4 yrs does not constitute a retirement benefit. I worked 21 yrs at a job to get a small monthly retirement.

gt of NC 2:16PM January 18, 2011

Older boomers, who in their youth revolutionized just about everything because of their sheer numbers, are now set to redefine retirement. In a recent “Perception of Boomers” poll, conducted by GfK for AARP, 60% of adults surveyed ages 54-65+ plan to reinvent themselves in a second and more fulfilling careers. Boomers are not retiring quietly. Many use their previous profession as a platform for new work life. Others use their passion as a springboard to a meaningful second act. Boomers are making career changes that foster a sense of personal and social renewal. Many in the boomer generation who were out to change the world in the ‘60s, are now looking for ways to improve it. They’re still revolutionaries at 65! Some boomers merge paid work and a volunteer life. Other boomers opt for a kind of third stage where they volunteer, mentor and life coach as a way to give back. This is just an example of an optimistic view to "nay-say the gloom-doomers!"

www.betteboomer.com of MT 2:33PM January 14, 2011

The people who represent our country don't represent the people but they take a VERY HIGH salary for it. It's time they return that they are not earning and give it back to the people and take a MODEST sum to be taught how to be a representative and put the money into Social Security where people have earned the money and that will fix the problem. They need to quit complaining and start action. It is getting tiresome hearing them. If they can't do their job then withdraw and let someone in who can.. Anyone can collect a paycheck.
I have kept up with the politics of the day. It is shameful.

donna faulkner of MT 5:19PM January 09, 2011

The problem is simple. The people retiring now did not contribute enough to Social Security over the last 40 years to pay for the benefits they are going to receive. As a result, they will be taking benefits away from the people working now.
There are two solutions:
1. Increase taxes to pay for the current benefits. This is effectively welfare for Senior citizens and is unfair to the current generation. It is also, as others have noted, a Ponzi scheme.
2. Reduce benefits to a sustainable level. This is the only fair solution. Retirees should get out of Social Security what they put in and nothing more. People are responsible for their own retirements.

Joe Blow of CA 2:34PM January 05, 2011

This really does not make any sense to many people. Keep the percentage that we are paying or even raise it a percent or two. But lower it, not with the everything costing more, this could help the people on social security. NOT A GOOD MOVE!!

Judy Spychalski of IL 2:15PM January 05, 2011

All you hear about is that Social Security is hurting this country when a retiree gets about $1500 to $2200 per month to live on. Why dosen't our elected officials talk about reducing the other retirement plans (alot more than SS dollars) and benifits paid to our civil servants and military. If some have to make a donation why not all citizens.

Mackie of AR 1:44PM January 05, 2011

I agree with IRRITATED............freely giving benefits to immigrants and their families ---all for political votes------has drained the money pool intended for working Americans......Thanks to the Democrats, the "baby boomers" face a future with reduced benefits. Maybe that is why Hussein Obama got the health care plan ( with the end of life feature) passed: to eliminate us seniors and our need for social security and health benefits.

perry klees of OK 6:55AM January 05, 2011

The baby boomers are not going out with a whimper but as we always have. This is by our sheer numbers. If even one quarter of us do not come together, it won't matter. Our numbers will get it done. We have waited until we have taken over the "establishment" and the time is soon. We are the most educated, most street wise, and we have never needed many leaders! Has this been noticed that we all seem to know what to do because we share the same values still? Even if changed we still believe in peace and love and freedom. Look and see what is happening with the legalization of marijuana. It is coming through medical use but it will be legalized and as anyone of us who has ever smoked it,we all said the same thing; legalize it and tax it! I estimate that we will generate enough money to cover social security for our generation and future ones. We will not use this money for any war on drugs. We will not tolerate any other drugs. Who will fight the drug cartels? The thousands of Viet-Nam vets who are waiting to buy back some of their souls! They are well trained and ready to use what our government taught them to do. To think that we flower children will not go out with a bang is to not understand all the positive values we still carry!!

Glen A Jacquart of WI 3:47AM January 05, 2011