I am a big believer in looking at demographics in order to develop good public policy. The baby boom generation (those born between 1946 and 1964) has been a driver of public policy ever since we were born. Unfortunately, there has always been a delayed reaction, as if it’s a surprise to the powers-that-be who are formulating policies that this is one big group! Even though we all liked to think of ourselves as the generation that would never grow old, unfortunately, that didn’t pan out. We are growing old and, again, the policymakers are caught unprepared. There are currently 78 million of us born in the baby boom years, or approximately 28% of the population. The first baby boomer turned 65 in January, 2011 so the time when the baby boomers reach retirement age has arrived! This is the day of reckoning about which there has been much talk but very little action. We have a much longer life expectancy than previous generations and health care costs are rising dramatically. Put those two together and, yet again, this generation will have a significant impact on the economic policy in the next couple of decades.

Beginning January 1, 2011, more than 10,000 baby boomers reach the age of 65 every single day; this will continue for the next 19 years! According to a recent AARP survey, 40% of this generation say they will "work until they drop." Why? One reason is that many have little to no savings and traditional pension plans have been replaced with 401k plans (which may have taken a hit), or not replaced at all, over the past 30 years. Another dramatic policy impact is that as baby boomers stay in jobs longer, the opportunities for the younger generations don’t open up., adding to unemployment and underemployment.

At our recent June board meeting, we had about 50 in attendance. I asked everyone there who was born after 1964 to stand…..five stood up! As someone pointed out, "You all work hard. Look at all of us you have to support." As the federal government continues to be mired in divisiveness, county government is in the enviable position to set aside politics and exhibit leadership in creating policies that respond to the demographic realities facing us.