Boomers stress most, but not for long

The youngest boomers appear to worry more than any other age group, according to a recent Gallup poll. Over 37 percent of Americans between 46 and 50 reported they felt a great deal of worry in the last year, and younger cohorts reported similar levels of worry. The trend cut off sharply, however, among older boomers. Thirty-six percent of those between 51 and 55 reported feeling very worry, compared with 33.2 percent of boomers 56-60. Among the oldest boomers, only 28.4 percent said they felt a lot of worry in the last year.

Working boomers seem to manage their stress and worry better than those who are unemployed (which makes last week’s report on early retirement more troubling). The poll didn’t distinguish between voluntary and involuntary unemployment.