About this item
The budget battles of recent years have amplified the warnings of demographic doomsayers who predicted that a wave of baby boomers would bleed America dry, bankrupting Social Security and Medicare as they faded into an impoverished old age. On the contrary, argues award-winning journalist Chris Farrell, we are instead on the verge of a broad, positive transformation of our economy and society. The old idea of "retirement"--a word that means withdrawal, describing a time when people gave up productive employment and shrank their activities--was a short-lived historical anomaly. Humans have always found meaning and motivation in work and community, Farrell notes, and the boomer generation, poised to live longer in better health than any before, is already discovering unretirement--extending their working lives, often with new careers, entrepreneurial ventures, and volunteer service.
About the Author
Chris Farrell is senior economics contributor for Marketplace, American Public Media's nationally syndicated public radio programs. He is economics commentator for Minnesota Public Radio. An award winning journalist, Chris is a regular contributor to Next Avenue, Money.com, Bloomberg Businessweek and the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Most importantly, Chris is the father of two sons, both wonderful young men.
