How Boomers Can Give Back in 2011

As we had recently reported, Baby Boomers face an uncertain future, marred by the bad timing of the economic meltdown as so many reach retirement age, as well as the results of bad planning: with news that as 10,000 Boomers a day will reach 65 in January 2011, few have saved effectively for retirement throughout their lives. Despite these setbacks, the generation born during the middle part of the 20th Century (between the years of 1946-1964)—a generation of active lifestyles, risk-taking rebellions, and cultural significance—is now taking even more risks that could signify some welcome good news for the nation’s economy. In an article in USA TODAY, a “telephone and Internet survey….indicates millions of boomers are either quitting their old jobs or coming out of retirement to pursue new careers that not only give them personal meaning but also contribute to society. The survey at civicventures.org (margin of error: plus or minus 3 percentage points) by the non-profit MetLife Foundation and San Francisco Civic Ventures, a national think tank, shows 6% to 9.5% of adults age 44 to 70 are pursuing "encore careers" that give them both an income and meaning. That is 5.3 million to 8.4 million people. And half of those not already in encore careers say they are interested in moving into such jobs.” These encore careers, combining steady income, personal meaning, and social purpose, such as teaching, medicine or work in public service or non-profit fields, are filling important job shortages across the country while also fulfilling a new era of social entrepreneurship. Now, the early retirement trends that have put such a burden on Social Security as well as the early depletion of savings and retirement funds like 401ks and IRAs, are now being reversed not only to the benefit of a generation, but the economy it now serves. “And given that the boomer population is so large — 78 million to 79 million — the movement could have a tremendous effect on society in general. ‘What's the healthiest, best educated, largest generation in American history going to do for what could easily amount to the second half or at least a third of their working lives?’ Marc Freedman, CEO of Civic Ventures and author of Encore: Finding Work That Matters in the Second Half of Life asks. These people are not going to go to the beach and just ‘hang out 20 or 30 years (waiting) to die,’ says Phil Borges, 65, of Seattle. At 45, Borges quit his orthodontist practice to become a photographer; he then founded a non-profit that uses digital storytelling to connect children worldwide. Borges agrees he's on the leading edge: ‘I think more and more people are being drawn in to contribute. There are so many issues to tackle.’” So, if you’ve been facing tough economic times in retirement, know that there are options out there for re-upping your income in the wake of a New Year. If you’re a Boomer who’s already working and continuing to struggle with financial troubles, it’s a perfect time to also consider other options. A personal bankruptcy can free up the money you need to not only sustain you throughout retirement but also provide an opportunity to explore a new path, whether it be a new career, a new location, or a new chance to volunteer your time to causes that matter to you. So, if you’re an older American who’s been affected by the economy and have made a resolution to get back on track with financial and personal development, contact the experts at the Law Offices of John T. Orcutt. They offer a totally FREE debt consultation. Call toll free to +1-833-627-0115 TODAY.