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August 31, 2015 at 08:42 AM
The Baby Boomer generation—those who were born during the post-World War II years between 1946 and 1964—currently number approximately 75 million Americans, according to Pew Research Center. Also this year for the first time, Pew projects that the Millennial generation—those who are between ages 18 to 34 in 2015—will outnumber Baby Boomers in the U.S. this year, as the number of deaths exceed the number of older immigrants arriving in this country.
However, although the Baby Boomer generation is shrinking slightly each year, it’s still a large and influential group. As the youngest members of this generation approach the age of 51 this year with the oldest turning 69, all Boomers are nearing, or already in, retirement years. But how prepared is this group to handle the financial requirements of retirement?
Not very well, according to the Insured Retirement Institute in its April 2015 report, “Boomer Expectations for Retirement 2015: Fifth Annual Update on the Retirement Preparedness of the Boomer Generation,” which is based on a survey of 803 individuals at or nearing retirement.
Overall economic satisfaction among Boomers dropped off significantly in 2015 to 48 percent from 65 percent in 2014, according to the report. What’s more, Boomers are not sure they’ll have sufficient resources to last throughout their Golden Years.
“The percentage of Boomers feeling extremely or very confident they will have enough money to last throughout retirement has declined significantly, to 27% of Boomers in 2015 from almost four in 10 in 2011,” the report states. When it comes to retirement age, an increasing number of Boomers are planning to retire after age 65. More than one in four (28 percent) of Boomers plan to retire at age 70 or later, allowing them to maximize their Social Security benefits, according to the report.
However, owning annuities is closely tied to an increased level of retirement preparedness and confidence, according to the report. “Boomers who have made the decision to purchase financial products specifically oriented toward retirement income are more likely to have taken positive steps to prepare for retirement, such as saving money for retirement, calculating the amount they will need to retired, and consulting financial advisors,” according to the report.
