When Baby Boom Women Retire

Fewer than 20% of Baby Boom women will experience a secure retirement. Marriage, education, occupation, home ownership—these variables predict their future. Possession of all four indicates retirement security, and absence of any increases risk of old-age poverty. This riveting sociological study also examines the social relations and structures that will determine the retirement experience, options, and decisions for more than 40 million Baby Boom women. These women's material base and social status are examined through the use of empirical data, and the key predictors of their retirement are identified. The massive entry of Baby Boom women into the labor force increases the importance of retirement planning for working women. It comes at a time when existing research models and data are outdated and inadequate to effectively predict their future retirement experience. Over the past 30 years, American men and their spouses have benefited from the linear, undifferentiated model of the traditional male retirement. For the Baby Boom generation, however, the nature of work has changed significantly. The current retirement model may not serve Baby Boom men as well as in the past, let alone Baby Boom women. In contrast, this book offers a new, dynamic model that considers the social and work structures influencing women's lives and that accurately reflects the predictors and parameters of Baby Boom women's retirement.

Without the baby boom, the United States would be a different place. The Vietnam War would have lasted longer. Rock and roll would be less pervasive. The civil rights movement would have changed laws and attitudes more slowly. But women might be further ahead in job status and pay if there had been no baby boorr.. Hous ing would be cheaper. The economy would have done better in the 1970s, and people now in their 20s, 30s, and 40s would be making more money. For the past 30 years, the baby boom generation all those born between 1946 and 1964-shook American economics, politics, and culture. But the full impact of 7 8 PREFACE the baby boom is yet to come because the generation is just now gaining the economic and political power to de termine events. Though the baby boom is a diverse generation linked only by its date of birth, that link is critical. The gener ation spans 19 years, which means many boomers ex perience the same things at the same time-going to col lege, getting a job, marrying, divorcing, buying a house, starting a family. Because of this, the baby boom in fluences what America's businesses produce, what the media write about, and what the politicans support. It focuses the nation's attention on itself; its concerns be come the nation's concerns. Whatever age the baby boom is becomes the nation's age.

This book offers readers an invaluable study of Boomers as they march into retirement.

Discover how you can live a completely fulfilling life and spread the radiance of joy and happiness all araound! Can You Avoid Aging? The Baby Boomers Brain The Baby Boomer's Diet

"Baby Boomers can rewrite the political agenda on public spending, quality of life, or even conflict between the generations"...[cover].

Baby boomer professional women : who are they? -- Family influences -- Building careers in an era of change -- At the point of transition : individual strengths and concerns -- The confidence of a cohort -- "What's new?"--Why are the stories of baby boomer women important? -- What are the lessons we can all take away? -- Post-career, but future-oriented