EmailEmail
PrintPrint
The boomers: Segwaying into seniorhood
Wednesday, October 17, 2007

On Monday, Kathleen Casey-Kirschling walked into a government office in New Jersey and became the first baby boomer to apply for Social Security benefits.

A generation of 80 million -- born between 1946 to 1964 -- will follow her, with an estimated 10,000 people becoming eligible for Social Security benefits every day over the next two decades.

What will they do with the money? And perhaps better yet, will there be enough money for all these boomers, especially those on the tail end of this wave? We'll leave the latter question to all the pundits, politicians and experts who have wrestled with and, for the most part, dodged the hard but obvious and politically explosive answer (raise taxes and cut benefits).

But as for the first question, this much we know: For the most part, the Me Generation is entering seniorhood healthier, more active and with more disposable income than past generations. And as the commercials say, this is not their parents' retirement -- aging gracefully into the night is not an option. So, boomers, here are some ways we expect you to spend your less-than-mad money:

"60 is the new 30" bumper stickers

A leatherbound special DVD edition of "The Joy of Sex with a Herniated Disk"

An iPod and greatest hits of Steely Dan, Joan Baez and Chicago on iTunes

Eyelifts, titanium hip and knee replacements and Lasik surgery

Yoga classes, massage and organic free-range kibble for the dogs that have replaced your grown children.

Segway (instead of a walker)

Rolling Stones tickets and hearing aids

DVD collections of "Batman," "All in the Family," "The Patty Duke Show" and "Lost in Space."

Greens fees or a spa membership so you can get to know your kid's boss to ensure everything's going all right at work

Medical marijuana (void where prohibited)

A Prius for when you give your SUV or minivan to your kids, and a golf-course condo for when you give your house to your kids

Sudoku and crossword puzzle books to keep the mind limber

Rogaine, Prozac, Ambien, and, of course, Viagra

First published on October 17, 2007 at 12:00 am