by Carleen MacKay :: Rob Kinslow
When we say there is an elephant in a room we mean that there is a large, obvious problem or situation that people are ignoring or denying.
We’ve got a herd of elephants – from all generations – to tell you about.
For example, take a look at the elephants in the Baby Boomers’ workplace. (DOB… 1940-1960)
If you say there is an elephant in the room, you mean that there is an obvious problem or difficult situation that people 
do not want to talk about.
Based on multiple recent surveys, like a recent Harris Polly survey, some claim that median middle-class households have just $20,000 saved for retirement (Source: fool.com). Other surveys, such as a recent BlackRock survey, claim that the average pre-retirement Boomer (55-65 year-old) has $136,200 in total savings which could translate to $9,129 in annual income. Their data is exclusive of remaining debt, Social Security or pensions. Forbes, Money and others weigh in with one common truth: Pension-less Boomers do not have enough money to support longer lifetimes.
Why worry? After all, fully half of Boomers in multiple studies stated that they planned to work, if needed, until they were 80 years old because they believed they wouldn’t have enough money saved to retire comfortably. There are several elephants in the Boomers’ workforce, but the one that reappears in almost every survey we studied, shows that people planned to work much later in life.
May we remind you that Hope is NOT a Plan…
Seen many 80 year co-workers in your workplace? And, no, 80 is NOT the new 60!
But, wait…here comes the rest of the parade of elephants…
- Based on 2016 statistics from the Insured Retirement Institute (IRI), some 59% of Boomers expect Social Security to be a major source of their income during retirement. That’s up from just 43% when surveyed in 2014.
- 45% of respondents in the IRI study had absolutely nothing saved for retirement.
- Healthcare costs continue to grow at a much faster rate than wages and inflation. Look it up. There is more than enough evidence to support the evidence of this large elephant.
- The latest Fed Household Debt and Credit Report claims the aggregate debt of the average Boomer is soaring.
One more elephant has clumped into our workforce. Guess which generation is taking on a large percentage of student debt?
Are you a Boomer?
Want some help with your plan to continue to work? Ask us, visit our website
We are your wing-men, serving several generations. Our Co-Founder, Carleen MacKay, is fully committed to helping you to continue to work for as long as you need to or wish. Carleen is a nationally recognized expert in emergent workplace and workforce challenges.
As her gift to you, read two of her “free” Playbooks for Boomers. They tell real-life stories, or “plays” of Boomers & Beyond who have found new ways to work. Go to: Second Half Plays, a free eBook available at BoomersandBeyondSIG.com and to https://sdmatureworkers.org/about-us and scroll to Resources for Jobs.
In the meantime, watch out for elephants!
Take a chance on your FUTURE.
We are your Wingmen
Reach out to your favorite wingman—we are multi-generational coaches. You will benefit from our proven 8-Step process. Let us guide you to what you need to know and do in order to advance your career in a time of hyper-shift. We can help you implement a plan that will work for you the day after the day after tomorrow.
Look us up on LinkedIn: Carleen MacKay :: Rob Kinslow
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