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P a g e
Over the course of the planning horizon for the Plan, there will be changes in the generations
who are part of the senior population. America is in the throes of a demographic overhaul.
Huge generation gaps have opened up in our political and social values, our economic well-
being, our family structure, our racial and ethnic identity, our gender norms, our religious
affiliation, and our technology use.
Today’s Millennials—well-educated, tech savvy, underemployed twenty-somethings—are at
risk of becoming the first generation in American history to have a lower standard of living than
their parents. Meantime, more than 10,000 Baby Boomers are retiring every single day, most
of them not as well prepared financially as they’d hoped. This graying of our population has
helped polarize our politics and put stresses on our social safety nets.
3
Each generation has different points of view on the issues of aging: transportation, housing,
health care, what is a community, quality of life, etc. These changing values and opinions will
need to be reflected in the Plan. By 2040, even the Millennials will be part of the 55 and older
group.
Shifts in Generations
55 to 59
60 to 64 65 to 69 70 to 74 75 to 79 80 to 84 85 and Over
2012
2020
2030
2040
Silent Generation
Baby Boomers
Gen X
Millennials
Darker areas
have more
persons 55+
