2012 Begins the Migration of Baby Boomers into Retirement

| Friday, August 17, 2012
By Lance Drummer


In the years between 1947 to 1964, Forbes has estimated that more than four million people were born into the "baby boomer" generation. Now that this generation is starting to reach retirement age, professionals in many different industries are analyzing changes to come. Forbes is concerned with the threat these now-retiring baby boomers will present to the stock market. Some are concerned that masses of retiring baby boomers will make the unemployment ratings deceptively high.

Of course, many are thinking about the future of retirement villages now that there will be so many new retirees flooding the market. Retirement villages still cater to those within the age range of retirement, but they are not the same as they used to be for generations past. More retirees than ever continue to live very active lives and remain in the workforce. From traveling to getting out for fun and entertainment, retirees are far more active than they were in the past.

Retirement Will Never be the Same

Many retirees keep working because they cannot afford to give up their jobs, and many others want to work so they have something to do when they wake up in the morning. The lifespan has been steadily increasing, thanks to advanced medical care and the use of preventative care. Today's retiree does not feel like an "old" person, and they have tons of energy. They don't want to live in a community that is designed for old people to curl up and wait for their life to expire.

Fortunately, this does not mean retirement villages will slip out of favor. There will just be changes in what this retiring generation expects from their living communities. They may want tennis courts, swimming pools, and features that are commonly offered from apartment and condo communities catering to families and younger singles.

Many existing communities are remodeling and adding amenities to their properties in order to be more attractive to the changing face of retirees. In addition, new communities will have to surface to meet the demand of the retirees to come. Another change is the evolution of retirement complexes in the UK, where this type of living environment has not been popular in years past.

Look Out for Opportunity

You can expect a boom of living communities for these retirees in years to come, considering the size of the population. Some retirees will continue to live on their own, some will live with family members, and many will consider a retirement living if they can find one offering the standard of living they want to maintain. In order to pull in this active retirement community, properties will have to be exciting and fresh with a greater standard of living than usual.

If developers, investors and property management teams see the opportunity that is on the horizon, there will be some great villages opening up in the future. Those able to refurbish older communities or design forward-looking communities that fit this aging generation will have the chance to serve a massive population in need of safe living quarters.




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