Читать книгу Finances After 55 - Sylvia Lim - Страница 5

In 2003, there were almost 35 million people aged 65 years and older (Source: AoA). This number represented 12.3 percent of the total population, or about one in eight Americans.

There were another 25.3 million younger baby boomers between the ages of 55 and 64, or 8.9 percent of the population (about one in eleven Americans).

It is projected that by the year 2030, the number of people of the aging baby-boom generation more than 65 years of age will total an astonishing 71.5 million, representing 20 percent of the US population, or about one in five Americans.

The projected rapid growth of the over-65 population will continue to raise concerns about the overall social and economic condition of the American population. Already, there are grumblings from government sources saying that current levels of spending in social security and health care cannot be sustained. However, there is hope that the changing demographics will also give rise to technological breakthroughs and new assistive developments that can help ease the burdens of daily living for the seniors in our population. Assistive technologies have come a long way in helping people live more independent lives, thereby easing the burden of governments to care for a growing aging population in institutions. Assistive technology includes devices and services that help people in their activities in daily living (adl), so that they can stay independent and integrate comfortably into their homes and communities. Some popular examples include electrically adjustable beds, walk-in bathtubs (with grab bars), and voice-command electronic devices. All are designed with the aging boomer and their parents in mind.

According to the US Federal Reserve Board’s most recent Survey of Consumer Finances, the average net worth for households headed by people aged 55 to 64 is $530,000, while that for those in the 65 to 74 age group is $465,000. These are the highest of all the age groups as tracked by the Federal Reserve Board.

They also owe the least amount of debt in American households. The average debt is $74,000 for households headed by people aged 55 to 64, while debt for those in the 65 to 74 age group is even less, at $53,000.