AARP Revamps Their Web Presence

A few weeks ago, AARP launched a new website which makes it easier to search for information and share it with your on-line community.

AARP decided to overhaul their site after soliciting feedback from users and finding that the digital demands of people over age 50 continues to grow. Their survey revealed that social media was the primary interest among visitors to their website, with Facebook preferred by 23%. In addition to the new site launch, AARP has also increased their presence on Facebook and Twitter.

The original five content channels have been expanded to thirteen and there are buttons to easily share content via several avenues such as email, Facebook, or a blog. The new content covers areas such as Personal Growth and Relationships and includes subtopics such as Transitions, Spirituality and Faith, Parenting, Grandparenting and Caregiving. Instead of the general Leisure category, you can explore Food, Travel, Entertainment and Home and Garden. There is also new content for Work which contains information on Job Hunting, Working after Retirement and Work Life.

In July, most of the site’s content will become available on e-readers, smartphones and mobile phones. Planned enhancements include applications for both the iPhone and iPad and travel destination guides from Frommer’s. Whether you have reached the magic AARP age of 50 or are still a few year’s shy, the new site is packed with useful, easy-to-find information and is worth perusing.

Chris Carleton, CFP®
clcarleton@taaginc.com
http://www.taaginc.com/

The Power of Purpose

Over the last few weeks I have been surrounded by friends and family members dealing with the challenges of an aging relative. Their specific situations and circumstances are different, but in each case I have been amazed by how much the attitude of each individual impacts their ability to cope with the issues they’re facing.

The woman who helped care for me before I started elementary school is now in her mid-80’s and has no living relatives, so my parents have adopted her as family. They make meals for her, take her to church, clean her apartment and repair what needs fixed. They are with her nearly every day, but she does not know what to do with her time when they’re not around. She has no significant health problems, but her health is failing and she is becoming very frail because she has no enthusiasm for living.

My great aunt is 101 years old and legally blind. She has lived alone in a small, three story house since her husband died over 25 years ago. A retired English teacher, she loves listening to books on tape, Marshall University basketball games and the news. She tends her small garden in the back of her house and looks forward to trips to Captain D’s for lunch with young friends. She shows no signs of slowing down.

As a financial advisor, I am able to learn from the collective experience of the people I serve. People who are happy and healthy in their 70’s, 80’s and beyond have one thing in common – they have not lost their love of life. They all have a purpose, a reason for living.

As a society we race from one task to the next, and spend very little time in quiet reflection. We need to stop and ask ourselves:
What makes me happy?
What’s missing in my life?
What will keep me going when everything isn’t perfect?

If we take time now to understand ourselves, and know what gives our lives purpose, then we can live fuller lives today and better lives beyond 100.

By Jeannette Jones, CPA, CFP(r)
Jjones@taaginc.com

Baby Boomers Retiring - How Will it Affect the U.S. Economy

The Boomer generation is a demographic term for the Americans born somewhere in between 1946-1964. Based on a 2000 United States census, the Baby boomer generation is a population of roughly 83 million. To date, baby boomers range from 42 to 60 years of age. This means that the baby boomer generation is on its way to leave the labor force of the country.

Baby boomers are offsprings of a healthy, erudite and bounty living. Because of this, they have changed the perspective of growing old by reinventing themselves to pursue a new passion.

Because of the distinctive characteristics of baby boomers, they have caught much attention and are the subject of studies and surveys. And for one thing, baby boomers belong to an influential generation that significantly affects the economy of the United States.

In an investigation conducted to discover how baby boomers expect retirement, here are some of the key findings:

• For baby boomers, retirement is an occasion to dedicate themselves to the family and to enjoy their leisure time by pursuing their interests and hobbies. Anyway, they view retirement as a chance to improve their skills and find another career opportunities for their age.
  


• Baby boomers quest for both personal and career fulfillment has becomes a driving force for them when preparing and planning for retirement. They secure social security by accessing health and life plans.
  


• Baby boomers are an optimistic generation with conservative financial hopefulness.
  


• So compared with their parents, baby boomers are far more likely to be continuously working while enjoying their leisure and comparatively the boomers made more money than their parents.
  

Tracing back to the annals of American history, the US economy has predominantly prospered since the baby boomers matured to enter the labor force. Historically, they are considered to be the prime source of the work force. But now that there is the expected demographic decline of baby boomers, the Unites States Bureau of Labor Statistics expect labor shortages that must be resolved quickly. Otherwise, it will inflict dire consequences to the economy.

However, there are some solutions to address the foreseen labor shortage by targeting the other variables that affect the demographic landscape. Organizations and firms can consider retaining the older workers, correcting the gender imbalance in work designations, outsourcing and hiring immigrants.

Since the baby boomers entered the labor force, the US economy has grown faster than its overall population. And the impending decline in the participation of baby boomers to service, will mean a slower rate of labor force growth as well as impact the economy.

(with edits) from helloboomers.com March 6th, 2009