Why Boomers Can't Quit

Even before the financial crisis, many baby boomers hadn't saved enough for retirement. Then stocks plummeted. In 1998, the average 50-year-old who had been working for at least 10 years had a 401(k) balance of $85,000, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute. Factor in the recent market drop, and more than a decade later, that worker's 401(k) has grown to just $93,000. In short, we keep getting older, but our 401(k) balances, they stay the same. Full Story »

Posted by Kaizar Campwala

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Review

Derek Hawkins
3.7
by Derek Hawkins - May. 21, 2009

Makes the case that it could ultimately be a good thing that many older workers will work beyond normal retirement age due to financial vagaries. The assessment is well supported here, mostly by comparing today's workforce conditions to past retirement waves and examining what a body of workers 55 and over contributes to the economy.

A healthy supply of older workers can be the salve for one of the worst types of economic poison — inflation. That may make it harder to get a raise, but it will also lead to higher profits, lower-priced goods and a stronger economy.

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Derek's Rating

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4.0
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3.0
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4.0
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4.0
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3.0
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4.0
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3.5
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4.0
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3.0
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