A MetLife Mature Market Institute study of the “leading edge of the leading edge” Baby Boomers shows that this often stereotyped group of Americans is more conventional in their late middle age than they were represented as being in their youth.

Here’s what the Boomers Ready to Launch study reveals about the average 62-year-old American (born January 1, 1946 to December 31, 1946) - a picture of those who will eventually need in-home non-medical care:

 ·         Is married to the same spouse, who is 60 years old;

·         Is in “good” to “very good” health;

·         Works full time for an employer that provides a defined benefit pension plan and health benefits;

·         Has at least some college education;

·         Feel they have done a good job contributing to their community and to society;

·         Do not view themselves as being “old” until they are age 77 years and 10 months;

·         Uses the words “freedom,” “retirement” and “not having to work” as the best things about turning 62;

·         Uses the words “getting older” and having “more health problems” as the worst thing about turning 62; and,

·         Plans to be fully retired by age 66 years and 4 months. 

The MetLife Mature Market Institute is one of the most respected aging-related research organizations in the U.S., and probably the world, so we’d certainly encourage you to become more familiar with the Boomers Ready to Launch report.  To do so, just click on or visit http://www.metlife.com/WPSAssets/15708378001198694051V1FBoomersReadytoLaunchHighlights.pdf, where you can read this document in its entirety.

  

Here’s some additional infomrtaion from the study’s website:

“They did not attend the Woodstock music festival in 1969.

They like the term “baby boomer” to describe themselves.

They feel they have done a good job of providing for their own basic needs, their spouse’s and children’s needs, as well as their parents’ needs.

They feel they have done a good job of contributing to their community and to society.

They feel they have done a good job of ensuring a steady stream of income for their future, and in planning to live their early retirement years to the fullest.”

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