How Boomer’s Face Retirement

When I was a young man my father was nearing  retirement. Already a pension was accumulated for over 30 years with the same company. So my father could easily slide out of work and along with socal security my parents knew that enough money was going to keep coming in on a steady basis for the rest of their lives. They were financially free to do what ever they wanted, whether it be to travel, add an addition on to the house, or just entertain.

Now it is my turn. Nearing retirement is a scary thought now. I was fortunate to have worked for the YMCA for over 25 years, but no way near to be fully retired. Other jobs lasted at most 5 to 6 years. Pensions are no longer available for me and now the majority of people nearing retirement.

The United States 40 years ago was an manufacturing base economy. Our exports surpassed all other countries. We had a stable and growing middle class. Retirees were assured of financial security. What has happened in that span of 40 years? I find myself and along with millions of other people of my generation  now are facing financial hardship, anxiety, fear, and a feeling of a foreboding future

In the span of those 40 years the United States lost most of it’s manufacturing base, practically eliminated all middle class jobs, imports far exceed our exports, and the plight of our seniors is ever increasing. No where in our history has America moved so far backward in regards to providing an economy that promotes growth, financial security, and equal opportunity “for the pursuit of happiness” for all it’s citizens.

The time has come to fully understand what  caused this backward mobility of the workforce so that we will be able to reverse this direction and enable our citizens that are nearing retirement or are retired to have a brighter future and that all generations will be assured of not only financial security but of national security.

Back in the early 1970’s attitudes began to change. Slowly at first, from employee base concerns to one of corporate profit, what ever it took to increase the bottom line. Companies ceased providing the motivation to produce durable and quality products and services. Now, apathy toward employees,  greed and just profit motivates most corporations then as well as now. What has been created undermines the quality and durability of products produced which further deteriorates economies and ultimately societies as well.

Attitudes have to change, where quality,  duribility, and reliability of all products and services in all venues of businesses becomes paramout.  Providing real living wages is a first step. A good example is in Tampa, Florida where the majority of the work force  earn less than $30,000 per year while the cost of living mandates a salary of at least $45,000 per year. 401K retirement plans have to involve employee decissions were to invest their money. The United States Congress must pass National Economic Reform and in doing so will establish Universal Health Care. This will free up monies for pensions that they would not be able to povide otherwise. Achieving all these ideals and principals will go a long way in solving the failed economic policies of today.