CNN

It means more need for health care .It means some sort of help to pay for engery .I have been retired for 5 years at first we saved money each month but known we are broke at the end of month.With more retirees many problems will croup up for our country thanks for bring this question before the public

What will it mean Jack? IT will mean the need for health care reform is long over due in spite of what should now be called the Medical Industry wants us to think. Without reform and letting Doctors, Hospitals, and providers of other medical services and medicine charge what ever they can. It will make the sandwich generation look good. It will create the Poor Boy generation in more ways than one. The cost of health care even if medicare makes it will cause the elderly to run out of cash thus the creation of the Poor Boy generation to help their parents or even grand parents.

SCARY! With out-of-control inflation in health care, higher incidence of health-care needed and with declining working population to pay the medicare insurance tax, we either cut benefits or raise employment taxes.

Then there is Social Security....same story only worse. We may need to open the LEGAL immigration flood gates, specifically to young immigrants with high education or needed job targets.

Rapidly growing poverty, if health care and social security aren't fixed.

It means that, through attrition, we will all be on the government health plan anyway. It's called MediCare.

It will mean a drastic cut in government services, or soaring national deficit, even relative to the current deficit. Medicare reports that 27% of their expenses go to patients in their final year of life. Increase the number of patients in that final year, and increase expenses.

It will mean we will have a very wise population that will help teach the young of this country everything they need to know. Wisdom of a societies elders is an often overlooked commodity and with how much negativity is going to come with such an aging population it might do us some good to see a positive in it.

Just like the companies that followed the baby boomers from the crib to the assisted living homes, so too can the younger and even the tail end of the boomer generation find opportunity.

As more of the boomers retire, there will be positions that become available; as the x and y generations move into their 30s and 40s they will be the demographic of choice for marketers.

I suggest keeping an eye on the statistics compiled by the US government in order to spot trends in careers and business.

Less working people to pay taxes for all of Obamas spending sprees. Look for the Democrats to find a way to eliminate Social Security for many that have already paid into it for years and years!! If you have planned well for your retirement the Democrats will continue to dig into your pockets!!

If the proposed Obama Health Care Plan is passed, we elderly are in for a pathetic future in quality care. We'll be too old and worth spending the money we simply don't have for the program.

How long before we are simply and economically turned into "Soylent Green" for our young?

Scary!

I will mean for one thing that many in Congress and Obama will be gone in 2010 and 2012. We need new blood and that means the most honest we can find (not Parties as they both stink).
Jack Carlson
WA

It means America will have to cut back on some of it's wars and invasions or they won't have the funds necessary to support the elderly population in a humane and caring manner.

higher cost for all services. elderly americans are porobably some of the least healthy people when compared to their peers in other countries. If the govt. thinks that an overhaul of healthcare will only cost 1.6 trillon, they have absolutely forgotten to take this factor into account.

Its not gonna be good on the streets and highways Jack. I live in the Phoenix area. Driving in Mesa, Surprise, and Sun City among all of those who drive at half the posted speed limit is frustrating.

Many will speak of the burden, the cost and even some sort of risk. I wonder who will ever tap into that source of sound advice and counsel for a plagued world?

It will mean that the written history of the past eight years had better not be done by Carl Rove, because soon enough not all those who survived it will remember it, or believe their memory of it.

It will be a boom for the funeral homes.

I know this may come as a surprise to non-viewers of your segment- money will get sucked out of and collapse the house of cards known as Social Security, and pumped into the open coffers of health care providers.

For the US it means our kids are going to be buried in debt and burdened with taxes to fund the promises politicians have been making for years..... The message to young people, when the time comes, take back what belongs to you...

Gee, at 65, I am now a big statistic.

What I think it might mean to America (and other countries) is that as the population ages maybe more of us who are "elderly" will get the chances to continue working (and contributing) if we desire to do so. Like, for example, my father, who will be 89 this year, and who (until he got laid off because his employer went bankrupt) worked every single day up until the beginning of 2008! (Oh, he also fought in TWO wars)

Old people are not dead. Lots of us would LIKE to keep working, but are passed over by employers who see us as dinosaurs. It is their (and the country's) loss. And the most humiliating thing that can happen is to be interviewed for a job by some twit not long out of high school, who has no real idea what the job even entails, but who looks at your age and never sees your skills!

Not enough Wal-Mart greeter jobs to go around!

Have no fear, Obamas health reform will take care of the pesky old people living far too long. When people can no longer work and pay taxes and are pulling in Social Security and Medicare, that's a huge burden on the government.

More pressure on Medicare and Social Security – just another big reason why the government's current legislation over healthcare reform MUST go through if the US plans to avoid even more debt in the future.

It will mean that medical services will be rationed out based on age instead of need. The older you are, the less medical care and medicine you will qualify for... The government will euthanize old people "legally".

It will inevitably come down to 1 fact Jack...It will kill Medicare for all the elderly and our current healthcare system will bankrupt our country because there is no preventive care plan for our citizens. Preventive care costs considerably less than the healthcare necessary when some acquires a very costly disease or illness...

How ignorant we have become as a country to not care for its people...So sad...

Time for US to do research on medicine to keep these people relevent and workable.

Elderly people who have worked their entire lives to achieve a comfortable retirement will now be forced to work as long as possible and their quality of life will be much less than ever expected.

I think it will be the nail in the coffin economically to our already declining nation.

Joe
Greenfield, IN

Unless Congress gets off it butt and listens to the people, it will mean the elderly will use their retirement for health care and when that runs out.. because it is so expensive.. Medicade cost will sky rocket..

More greedy old people who think they have paid their dues and will vote to keep the Democrats in office for decades based on promises not performance. No change here except for the numbers.

I recommend that all those tobacco plantations become prune plantations. That way, we'll keep both the young and the old healthy, and our politicians won't be constipated anymore.

As a current member of that very group I anticipate that we will be left by the wayside to fend for ourselves so younger CEO's can get their hundreds of millions in bonuses and the oil and pharmaceutical companies can continue with their obscene profits. Oh, yeah, don't forget that congress has to have a raise in salary every year too.

It means we will be in need of young strong workers.

It means that we better get our healthcare reformed.

It means that Social Security will go bankrupt before
all the Baby Boomers retire.

It means that the younger generation better start
giving us those grandchildren, sooner than later!

The elders of the U.S. are not to be looked at as a burden on the taxpayer. These people have given their years serving in our military, working and paying taxes to build up this nation, and being good citizens. As our nation's babyboomers age, we should be thankful for every year that we have each one. They all have a rich heritage and much more to share with a nation in need.

Jack,

Those who can afford it will live in retirement communities where good medical care is always just minutes away. Those who can't will settle for what care they can get. What a sad end for a large portion of the baby boom generation, who grew up used to the idea that the U. S. economy would always adjust itself to their present whims.

Jim
Reno, Nevada

Another major aspect to ensuring Universal Healcare coverage for all Americans. Did you know the US taxpayers are still paying for all of Iraq's and Afghanistan's Universal Healthcare and will continue to do so as long as we are an occupying force in the Middle East?

Jack it will mean significantly more impeachments of elected official who don't commit to fixing Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare. Also, I suspect that more and more people will retire in places like Canada, and Costa Rica/South America where the cost for health care is less and it's a lot less expensive to live.

Steve
Clifton, VA

It means – I'm going to keep praying! There are a whole host of additional problems President Obama and his successors will have to solve well. Maybe officially retired Baby Boomers will need more jobs at Walmart to make up for the losses in their investments and home values.

There is excitement when there is an abundance of young people in a society but apathy when there is an abundance of elderly. One would think that such a large group could command legislation and spending to support a reasonable foundation for their financial and medical security. Yet society has come to see the elderly as an expense that is too great. I believe this apathy along with the neglect of our children will create a deep wound that will take generations to heal.

Today the US is in debt over $10 trillion and has $0 in surplus. The entire economy, every dollar counted, is worth $13 trillion. Now add Social Security and Medicare, which tacks on $60 trillion in unfunded debt obligations. It sickens me how our leadership skirts this issue time and time again. As young professionals nowhere near retirement age, my wife and I have stopped putting money into what our government has told us to for decades. We just don't trust it anymore. We can't afford to. Most of our generation already assumes we will never see a dime of Social Security, and now 401ks are in the crapper. Many of us have resorted to investing in food while the dollar still has buying power, aware that we might witness the collapse of our economic system within our lifetimes. The elderly in this country don't realize just how good they have it right now, and that it's directly impacting how bad we're going to have it. Maybe if our government would get serious about this for once and properly inform the public, then maybe the elderly can step back and not feel so entitled to something that is going to ruin the lives of the generations coming after them.

It means I at 27 years old better have a dam good retirment plan. By my retirment, retiring age will be about 90 and I might even then have to have a way to make a dollar.

It will mean a shortage of everything. Not only will America be broke because of Medicare and Social Security, but also because a younger working generation will be facing a labor shortage. As baby boomers plan on retiring in record numbers, there won't be enough qualified workers to fill the void. Ultimately, it will just be bureaucratic chaos for the United States of America.

under la raza it means more illegal immigrants get amnesty!

Jack it means we need more doctors & nurses

If the U.S stop melding in other country affairs then we wouldn't have to ask this question Jack. 37 million people in poverty, and we worried about Iran, Iraq, N. korea, Russia, and everybody else but our own people, unless their RICH. Medicare wouldn't be going broke if we would care about our citizens first. and evrybody else second.

It means a greater strain on Social Security and Medicare.
It means we will need more geriatric doctors, nurses and facilities.
It means we will have to work longer than 65.
It means we won't have enought people in the work force.
It means inusrance premiums will increase and more families wil also be looking after mom/dad.
It means we will need more facilites to house the elderly and homes will have to be produced to accomodate a older population

The rapidly growing costs of social programs like Medicare will remind us why we are suppose to be a capitalist nation, and not a socialist one. Socialism only works if your population works hard and dies young.

National health care, one payer system, will be a good way to get rid of them if they become sick. Britians and Canadians can attest that. Let us hope that they all have resources to take care of themselves.

i am going to be 70 in a few daysand have heard about the trouble medicare and social security are in.i am fortunate that my wife is still employed and i am covered under her health plan.being a u.s. army veteran i could go to there health plan if necessary but hope the health plan president obama proposes passes congress.social security worries me as it does other seniors who have worked all their lives and paid into the system hoping we would benefit from it in our old age but finding out it moght be gone in a few years,something must be done at all costs to save it as many seniors have that as there total income

Jack;
It will mean that Wal-Mart will have a lot of greeters at the front door!

First we need to review one truth rather than the lies that our do nothing serve self first congress tells us.And that is that Social Security is NOT broke because of aging population.Its because every congress since Johnson has taken billions that was NOT their's to take and never paid it back.So to answer the question.It will put a drag
on our country and health care because congress threw away all
the resources.
David

Jack, I retired almost a year ago and I am beginning to learn what it means to be on a fixed income.

Over the past few years I have watched the number of prescriptions I take triple and the number of medical test ordered double. I expect this will increase as I get older.

Eventually inflation (cost) will become a problem and then I will require financial support from my family and the government.

It will cost all the working people more to support the aging – That’s the bad news. The good news is – Unemployment will be lower.

It means as a 53 year old military officer, I am not too enthusiatic about reaching the tarnished "GOLDEN YEARS". With a federal and state government who will view me as a liability as I grow older, I will probably witness a lot of cutbacks and takeaways from the very country that valued me when I was younger!!

As an aging baby boomer, I long ago gave up any idea of retirement. The boomers have been a political force to reckoned with for the last 40 years. Let's hope that continues.

it means grey power . If you don't get them what they want look out. Baby boomers still rule and will for years to come

Considered alongside our health reform aspirations? Money for the smart entrepreneurs that cater to them and our great government or as Lou Dobbs would say, "gov-'mnt"!

I would HOPE a comfortable retirement because would have earned it with sweat & tears of working and paying taxes for 25-35-40 yrs.

About 40 years ago a photo of a dump truck picking bodies from street curbs appeared in a magazine. I cannot remember the magazine, but I always wonder if such a thing could happen. As I grow older I realize that such a thing could occur. Very few families will have the financial means to care for their loved ones.

One thing it should mean is that the US needs to find modified employment opportunities so seniors can work as long as they are able.
Their life experiences could benefit many employers.

It means that we will have to fix entitlements and medicare, after the Health care overhaul. I love and respect the elderly, so they should be treated w/ dignity, and be able to enjoy the America they worked hard to create, and sustain.

All it means for me a middle class tax payer is I`ll keep getting stuck with the tab, until the rich pays 35 to 39% of all their assests to the government like I do I wont see any relieve!

What it will mean is that retired persons will finally have an impact on legislation. Health care is of primary importance to retirees. Social Security is all many of us have for income. Pensions will have to be made secure in the future. These issues have become the focus of this growing "elderly" population. Don't mess with the Senior Citizens. We vote as a block. Ever heard of AARP?

Two Words: Encore Career.
Too often we look at the elderly as a burden on society. We need to find ways to tap in to the resources of their experience and change the way we look at retirement. If we can see retirement as an opportunity to contribute to our communities than we can avoid the potential pitfalls of an aging population.
Los Angeles

There will be large number of elderly people working and on welfare or some type of assistant.

David
Martinsburg, WV

65 will be the new 50. Americans will be working til 70 or 80 and living until 100. The lucky ones will have decent retirement the rest will die because of a deteriorating healthcare system.

It means there can be no expectations of social security, especially given how many of our youth are ignoring their studies in high school. Also, the cane industry will do very well.

It means there will be an endless convoy of slow moving cars with their turn signals on but everyone will just keep going straight.

As a current student of health management, this means that we Americans has to let go of certain ideas of what is or is not acceptable to us. Fears about socialism, government expansion, or having to be invested in others besides ourselves are not only misplaced but are harmful to any lasting prosperity. The aging baby boomers, many of them being some of the loudest critics of government growth, will one day wish the government were organized in such a way (ironically a way they've opposed for years) that they could be taken care off. It's this double standard that drains much of the patriotic optimism from my heart, but hopefully progress overcomes selfish indifference.

It means that my odds of seeing the promised benefits in a social security check some day aren't very good.

A growing elderly population means higher healthcare costs and a cohort who believe they are entitled to it. No matter that we'll bankrupt our country paying for it–they deserve it.

Hurry up, Mr. President and Congress: It's time to address healthcare reform NOW. Yes, we can.

It means Florida is going to have more electoral votes and more representatives. God help us all.

Medicare insolvent, Social Security penniless along with an aging population & deteriorating infrastructure does not paint a pretty picture of the next 25 years. Meanwhile, this country has been sending $100,000 million dollars every month to fund killing, destruction & corruption in Iraq and Afghanistan.
I think it's too late to find solutions to our problems since many of those who got us into this tragic situation remain in Washington.

It will take 20 minutes longer to drive anywhere!

It means a heap of trouble, Jack. Older people have already been bagging groceries, cleaning fast-food tabletops and working at retail stores just to survive for a long time. With no Medicare or Social Security in the future, looks like either begging or Soylent Green may be our future.

it will mean the end to retirement! people will only be able to retire if they prepared for it. i have kept my 401k up to date. i am getting ready for the government to fail its people again. i believe social security needs to be abolished. people should be taught how to prepare for older age and their needs at that point in time. the people who have jobs shouldn't have to pay for citizens who have neglected there need to prepare for life after work. as for medicare,maybe by 2017 they will have reformed healthcare and it won't be a concern for the citizens of america. this is where we will really judge the legacy of this president! then we will see if we voted for the right person!

First of all,you have to blame Harry Truman.Obviously "the buck didn't stop anywhere'.A million "horney" soldiers returning from WWII,didn't anybody realize what the result would be?Now we have to deal with the "end result".
"Importing young people" to balancing things out,how rediculous is that?These young people will eventually become old people.Brilliant!
The graying of the US means,tell your children to get in the Geriatric fields;Buy pharmacutical stocks;Open a Funeral Parlor;Be a Probate Judge!
There is "Good" in everything.

It means that our Congress will finally be exposed for the crooked Ponzi scheme they've been pulling on us for over 50 years with the 'pay as you go' approach to funding MediCare and Social Security.

It means that the train systems in this country better prepare them selves for a lot more riders. This is the time to get started and use some of that stimulus money to fix the rapid transit systems. Us baby boomers will be loosing our capacity to drive.

Jack - coming from you this is an interesting question since both you and Blitzer are part of "boomer generation" you're asking about. You two seem intelligent so my guess is you're gonna be OK. But, for those who haven't planned ahead it's gonna be a real crap-shoot as pertains - health care, housing, and quality of life. In that scenario it's gonna be survival of the fittest. Sad, but true.
As for you and Wolf - you might just consider Scottsdale. It's paradise.

Gary H. Boyd, Scottsdale, Arizona

Endless Rolling Stones World Tours.

Michael H.
Palm Springs, CA

It means my 24 year-old self will be moving to a different country soon.

Without health insurance, will there actually be an elderly population?

It means that the intelligence quota of the country will be at a record high.

The fabric of the family has been stretched to the near breaking point in America So s a society we will hopefully turn back to the family for continued support and stop trying to rely on poorly designed and badly funded government programs.

It is going to be a very tough, difficult time for those who are shouldering the financial burden. But we will find a way to help take care of what can only be described as one of the greatest generations in history!

Jack, we will see an effect in direct contrast to what we see in Tehran today. With increasingly "elderly" people making up the adult majority in the country, we will lack the energy and drive that comes from a youthful majority. We will also have a larger group of people to support financially, medically, and socially. Young people will not have the overwhelming numbers to revolt and protest when needed. Instead they will be busy taking care of an aging and dying population.
Killeen, Texas

They won't mean much Jack as the U.S. will not last much beyond 2012.

It will mean increased competition in the job market – pitting young against old as the "boomers" continue to put off retirement. Age discrimination will increase despite laws against it. With manufacturing jobs disappearing by the hour, we will maintain a steady course toward third-world status. All we can hope for is a miracle to slow that decline.

I'm not sure. I keep forgetting the difference between a senior moment and senior momentum.

Joe in Delray beach, FL

Dear Jack, this one is simple. Since seniors are very proactive and turn out in droves to vote, we need not worry about Medicare and other social programs because they will protect at all costs what they feel they are entitled to and more. They will support Pres. Obama in everything he is trying to do for those seniors and everyone inbetween.

I'm just 70, and NOT a boomer, and you might remember the adage: "Inside every older person is a young person wondering what happened?" Lot of wisdom in us old farts, and what are you going to do put us all to sleep? Other countries revere their old folks, here we are expected to go quietly into that dark night.

You are right, we are getting older and having fewer babies, so how else than through immigration will we hold up the aging baby boomers? Connect the dots Jack, if immigrants who are here working, paying taxes and following our laws are not given an opportunity for earned citizeship, we will all be in big trouble very soon!

Jack,

I've been unemployed for 3 months now trying to figure out what I am going to do. Thanks to your question I now know a business I can start. With the country getting older I have the perfect opportunity to open Bingo Halls. This will be a great way to get the country back to work.

Prepare for a very slow and gray future. Lets just hope that Medicare and Social Security hang in there a little longer than expected.

It will mean that those who failed to address long term issues will pay the price of their arrogance and perhaps the younger generations will begin to think more strategically about things. Maybe that wake up call will make us begin to face the issues affecting our survival as a species... issues like global warming, health care and so on.

sorry, but no baby boom. We are last generation before birth control pills. We paid enough into the program to take care of ourselves and the next two generations. It was stolen and needs to be paid back. With birth control, the demand will go down. Just put back what was taken out. Didn't Bush take out a trillion from Social Security?

It means the overall intelligence level will increase dramatically.

I beg to differ. The stats on growth are right but the conclusion is errored. I'm 66 and still work 50 plus hours a week. The average age of our entire organization is 55 so each of us continues to contribute to rather than drain society.

It means that the population needs to revolt and restructure this government before we are too old to do anything about it. These social rebellions need not be confined to Iran anymore, they will begin to manifest themselves in all countries that have been subject to corruption and and the greed of power.

Wow, 1 out of 6 elderly people in US. 1 out of 10 US citizens in poverty.
Wow

Well, if its the medical advances that are keeping people alive longer (something tells me that is hogwash) then I most likely won't be one of those people contributing to the problem. I'll probably have a heart attack without health insurance because I won't be able to afford it and time of death will be soon after.

It means that price of cat and dog food of all kinds will go up. Due to the demand for it from people who will be eating it themselves.

Diane, Houston

A lot more people to monitor our greedy, narcistic, congress!! When you are working you don't have the time to monitor the administration.

Until we have both side stop devoting 90% of their time to getting re-elected and devote 90% of their time to the improvement of the entire nation, there will be not problems solved. Walter, Shell Knob Missouri

An aging population for the United States means an evolved way of life. People will work longer and more flexible hours, jobs will be split into two or three, which will provide supplemental income for the elderly, and Medicare and social security will cease to exist. Quite simply, we will adapt.

-Jasmine – Teaneck, New Jersey

Jack,
It will require us to do things we should have done 30 years ago.
1.Means test social security and medicare. I remember many years ago Bob Hope essentially say I don't need them and shouldn't receive them as the country can't afford it and it makes no difference to me.
2.The retirement age will need to be raised as people remain able to continue working in good health for more years.
3.Medicare will need to be modified. Tell me why should an 85 year old receive a kidney transplant or a person with a significant case of Alzheimers be treated for cancer. This may sound heartless but at some point something has to give.

Hi Jack,

It will probably result in a robotics boom. More advanced machines will be needed to take care of the elderly. The U.S. will adapt and prosper as usual.

Your northern neighbor,

Tony

Because old people will outnumber people my age we will get the discounts to all of our favorite places

It means that Senior Citizens see a good upside potential for investment in the companies that make ENSURE, METAMUCIL and that hair stuff that turns hair from White back to Black. YA THINK.

Jack:

Hopefully some good reform in our govt. that will prevent social outrage and anger towards Seniors. I've heard so many speak badly about the aging population that will explode soon and wreak havoc on our economy. It's frightening to be elderly today.

Mary in GA

Good day, Jack. Been a while.

Answer to your question: More wisdom, less money.

well jack the U.S will do fine they have done so by becoming the moat influential country in the world and the economy will soon restore it self through the voice of change in Washington and with any luck one day the us and Iran will be allies and friends.

Maybe it means that we should take Medicare and Medicaid and Social Security (all existing programs) and just expand them to include everyone. That way, we would use the processes that are already in place. That should simplify the procedure. They are all paid for by the citizens of this country. I have little sympathy for the theocratic insurance companies anyway. Their workers (not their elite) could be worked into the new system in some way. I am not kidding.

Social security will probably be broke. The Us needs to think about plan B to save the Almighty USA pocket book and the USA boat.

Something will have to be done about the economic impact this aging demographic we will have. I propose turning nursing homes into labor camps. Instead of outsourcing telemarketing to India, for instance, have the elderly making those telemarketing calls from 6-8pm. Though its past their bedtime, they'll work for Metamucil and Fiber One.

It means that I, at 34, have to think about working until 70 or maybe 75. It's economically untenable for everyone to have 20, 30 or more years of retirement in which to draw down their finances.

Now that somebody noticed the baby boomers are indeed getting older, with the collapse of their 401k's, IRA's, etc., it seems to me that the US wil have to look VERY closely on helping these folks figure out how to survive financially so there is some quality of life and not ignore the very real possibility of a move into poverty during the "golden" years.

Increased medical expenses, leading to more intense focus on disease prevention (cancers, dimentias, etc.); growth surges in medical professional fields (education & employment); more senior living facilities; older people in the workforce or on the federal dime (due to social security depletion).

The Social Security system needs a big overhaul, has since Reagan. Reagan wanted to repair it, but the Dems would not let him. Clinton could not do it because he wanted other things to be included. Bush could not do it because the Congress said there was not any problem with it. Obama will not be able to repair it either. (I’ll take bets on that!). Only when the Dems and Reps AND the News Media get on board as to what is best for the American People will it happen. As long as it remains a story, for the media et al, it will NEVER be fixed!

CRCox

Dear Jack,

Here in the Netherlands we have the same demographic developments.
Post-war babyboom generation going towards their pension, almost at a rate of 1 retiree on 5 working people!

It's really all about retiring at an older age, no easy well-fare give-a-ways, but go for long-life learning programs and constantly provide opportunities for people to rearrange their carriers through education, even when they are older!

There's no jobs now so what's the big difference?
With social med ins we will probably be put quietly to sleep. Will that skew the numbers?

It will mean that the American people need to empower our government to provide universal, publicly-funded health care, eliminate health insurance companies entirely, and teach its people how to stay healthy and vibrant enough to work well into one's seventies – and do so while saving the environment!

Well Jack, the amount of health care in the US will shoot into outer space, as if its not high enough. Social security will also suffer due the fact that these people who have done their bit for king and country need to be supported for the remainder of their lives. Getting the economy rolling again will be all the more tougher as well. Yet another issue facing the president. Though I have always believed that the toughest challenges bring out the best in everyone who chooses to face them.

Social Security and Medicare are going broke because we have been spending the "trust fund" for years on other government spending. Rather than focusing on the costs of an older population let's think about their contributions. Think about the store of wisdom our senior citizens can contribute.

This is a very real and very serious situation that must be dealt with. Hopefully Americans will learn new survival tactics during this frightening recession that will better prepare us for the monster that is lurking in the closet. Thanks for a addressing this issue with full force, Jack.

More slow driving Jack, More Traffic jams for no reason.

Not a thing Jack,

Europe will be the guinea pig for this problem. The whole collapse scenario will happen to them first. When the mighty welfare states in Europe are forced to adjust, the problems will become painfully obvious to everyone. I suspect that then American politicians will get the picture, and reforms will be made. If not, the West will make a fascinating study to the young countries of Iran and India.

Best to you sir!
-Neil from Illinois

Well Jack it would certaintly mean that The politicians must MUST succeed instead of failing to muster the courage to do something about it. They must note that it is not only the People's problem that Social Security and Medicare are going broke but it is also thiers. The Elderly are people too and should not be ignored. Such failings to muster courage shows and helps prove the ignorance of Politicians now and in the Future.

Hi Jack,
I think this could be an untapped source in the economy. They could be a great workforce, if new jobs were created that would allow them a source of income, but still allows them to enjoy some sort of retirement or time off. Forget TV's 18-25 demo, they should look at the 65+ demo! New products, shows, movies, even cars and home appliances could be tailored toward the senior market.

Alternatively, it sounds like in order to balance out ages proportionally, we need to have babies for procreation, not recreation.

That people are just going to have to work longer. I have never been a big fan of the idea of retirement. I have always expected myself to work till the day I die. I'm in the 30's and don't really care if Social Security will last because I don't plan on being dependent on it.
There is some need for Social Security for those that are disabled from working either physically, mentally or psychologically. We need to be a caring society taking care of our most frail.
However, the idea that everyone deserves to give up working at a certain point of life is ludicrous. We all have something to give to a cooperative society and that doesn't end at any point in life.

It will mean an increasing appreciation for the minority populations in America that have the highest birth rates now. These groups will generate the workers to support our aging population.

if the united states' population grayed, hopefully it would be a deep gray. that is, beyond prospects of a worse financial challenge than what the country is already saddled with, there is hope of deepening social relationships and greater empathy as part of american civic culture. the propsects also lie in a deep gray.

When it comes to commenting on the rapidly growing elderly population. I am in complete support of the President. To quote an old phase, "Alcoa can't wait for tomorrow. Neither can this country, when it comes to taking immediate action on health care reform.

Growing old is already seen as an inconvenience or burden to many people in this country. With a lack of funds to support such an increase of our elderly population, they could easily be viewed as "disposable". Euthanasia is already legal in some states and becoming increasingly popular with the terminally ill. I shudder to think what will become of our elderly people when we can no longer afford to care for them as they deserve.
Karen
Chicago

the united states becoming grayer means a lot more hair dye will be sold.

Tucson, AZ – If present trends continue, there will be only two employed workers paying taxes into Social Security for every elderly recipient receiving benefits. However, present trends will not all continue – some of them face diminishing returns. A single epidemic disease could kill off 90% of the elderly population in a matter of weeks – a new strain of flu, for example. Any number of other trends, extrapolated over the next two decades, could lead to some other kind of fiscal, environmental, or public health crisis, making the demographic transition moot. The past is not the future, and nobody knows what the future will be. Predictability rapidly declines with time, and no prediction five or more years ahead has ever actually come precisely true. By the time we are supposed to have more people on social security than can be supported by it, something else will happen.

We need to attend to the Health Care problem now. Social Security must be addressed also. These are not matters in the interest of the aging but will have a severe economic impact on all of us. How we take care of the ederly will speak volumes to the rest of the world who look to the US for leadership.

it will positively impact america and the world because elders are indispensable library they epitomise wisdom-in liue of this america will be wiser and duely informed, its good
ojo from nigeria

Santa Monica, CA

Jack, what this means is our population is going to explode. We should no longer allow tax deductions for having lots of kids. If parents have more than two kids, then they should be taxed per child, with that money going into providing the elderly healthcare or into Medicare and or Social Security. We have to take care of our elderly and treat them with respect. This will also help stabilize our population.

Jack:

Clearly WalMart will need to hire more greeters. But as people, we will all need to step up our efforts to watch out for each other and help each other as neighbors. We all just need to step up and help each other. Don't be shy, just do it.

Brian
NAFTA Investor
Gore's Landing, Ontario

Jack, raising the retirement age to about 90 should take care of this situation. Ryan, Arkansas

When all our jobs were sent out of the country and the corps. went off shore to avoid taxes, our tax money and social security payments disappeared. Why do I never hear that mentioned when the older generation is blamed for the problem? I'm surprised that the funding will last until 2017. When people had jobs there seemed to be enough money to pay taxes and for prople to buy cars,houses and all the things needed. Seems to me we just don't talk about the real problems.

It means grand parents who know how to use an MP3 player, text while driving, and drive a more fuel efficient car. We will have the most technologically advanced elderlies with hopefully a revised health care system.

It means Florda will become the most powerful state in the Union

It means a lowered standard of living for all of us (although that might be brought upon us anyway by the economy). Unless there is REAL reform/restructuring of the health care industry then it also means a burden on that essential service which may well prove unsustainable. I know because I am a health care worker and have seen first hand what hospitals must do to continue operating. The mere thought of letting 'the market handle it' (as a recent unsuccessful presidential candidate planned to do) worries me to no end. You see, I'm also not very many years from retirement, too.

It will not mean what you think, Jack. Socialized medicine will reduce and eventually eliminate the health care we have enjoyed for decades that has, among other things, increased average life span of US citizens. When health care decisions are turned over to MBAs, life extension procedures for the elderly will be reduced, and we will all die earlier, reducing the drain on social security and health care. The social security numbers will start looking better once we get to the point that we are working and contributing to the system for 50-60 years and only collect from the system for 6 months. Since health care will be "regulated" our brightest and smartest will no longer go into the medical field, so health care quality will be reduced even more and we will die even earlier because our medical professionals will all be idiots.

We baby boomers will require manufactures of products sold in our country, especially food items, to make them so that we can actually open them without help. I can not tell you how many items my Mom of 75 can't buy and consume because she can't open the container.

I'm an Economics student and these long-run questions come up all the time. Like when we thought we would no be able to produce enough food then the green revolution happened. Humanity will find a way. Have faith

It means that a stronger health care system must be made into reality here. Medicare is going to go defunct in 2017 and Social Security is on its way out in 2041. Lets set the ground work of the solution of this future problem now, before its too late.

Qaim Wynter
Brooklyn, N.Y

Things will just work itself out. Failing healthcare and expiring social security system, and over population. It will soon be only the strong survive.

The entitled nature of the Baby Boomer generation as they came to power during the Reagan years has led to the greedy, bloated Wal-Mart corporatocracy we live under today, which has crushed our financial system and filled the pockets of a select few while bankrupting the commons and greatly reducing the financial (and any other) power the middle class once enjoyed. The Boomers' children - members of the "Generation Y," of which I am one - who have graduated college and beyond, only to see that a living wage and affordable health care are not guaranteed with hard work in this country, will be sidled with the task of repairing the corruption that has left our system unable to accomodate this rising senior population. What is needed is a shift in conciousness, and I'm afraid any real change will only come after the Boomers have cast off their collective mortal coil.

Justin
Oakland, CA

Without health insurance, will there actually be an elderly population?

Jerry Pirkle

Southern Mississippi

Putting aside the implications for Social Security and Medicare, dealing with the long-term labor gap that is caused by a rapidly graying population will require this country to choose between two options that many Americans don't find very palatable. Either we must encourage greater rates of immigration, or we must accept the outsourcing of American jobs.

L.C.
Maryland

Maybe all of the wealthy can take pay cuts and no bonus'es, so the less affluent can live a decent life. All that believe that, stand on your head.

A rapidly growing senior population will require the United States to redefine the term "senior citizev". As Baby Boomers who are 45-63 this year , the first group of children who were marketed to as consumers, will continue to be courted by the media. Ads promoting an active lifestyle for mature Boomers will replace those that portray more sedentary seniors.

We will see more active senior communities and fewer tradtional citizens centers.

The generation that said "never trust anybody over thirty" will redefine itself inthe lyrics of a popular oldie, "Forever Young."

It means life becomes much shorter for those of us without Medicare and Social Security. Many elderly folks now must make a decision each month on whether to buy groceries or their medication. Without Medicare or Social Security, we won't have that difficult decision to make. We won't have either. Take care Jack.

well I'll be 50 in a year and I hope one of my children will take care of me. most likely we will see more Family's living together grandparents Children and grandchildren Living under 1 Roof. I truly don't see how else all of us older people will live. with Government spending and Meltdowns and most likely there will be no social security so what are we paying in our taxes getting higher for the middle and lower class. we need to learn how to save not spend spend but thats what keeps our economy from going worse in the red wow what a mouth full not sure I want to live as old as my parents or grandparents in their 80s to 90 plus years

Our country needs to develop a respect and compassion for the elderly population. We tend to forget that if we are fortunate, we will all end up being part of this group in the future. It is my hope that our government will not lessen the healthcare for these citizens just because they are elderly.

Oneonta, Alabama

Jack-

Only one answer. Repeal the taxes on cigarettes, repeal the anti-smoking laws, stop the smoke Nazis. Let us smoke. Let us die early. More money for ss and the folks that want to fix me.
Smokin' Ed

It means that the health care system and social service system will be under tremendous stress. I read the same article and I guess we will have to put our seat belts on for the 2020s to be the time of cutting old age benefits.

I know a lot of people - including our elected leaders - use the word "burden" when they speculate about the growing elderly population. Funny, I never heard anyone complain about the "burden" when boomers were paying in way more Social Security and Medicare than was being paid out.

Aging population means a growing load on health care. This would indicate the need for available health care to all as soon as possible to help to ensure a 'healthier future' to the aging. This need is what most Americans have indicated that they want. Like in Iran, the government isnt listening to the voice of the people. At least the Iranians have the 'balls' to let their government know how they feel....we see those in Washington resisting needed changes, all we do is accept it, like sheep...and let the band play on. Find a way and stop being obstructionist...particulary the so called
Democrats who are fast becoming the 'new' Republicans.

Fort Lauderdale, FL

What it really means is that more and more of the working population is being replaced by folks that think it is their right to get everything for nothing from the government, food stamps, welfare, health care, etc. It means that Social Security and Medicare are doomed, as are the older folks that have worked for the past 40-50 years and are now counting on SS/Medicare as a piece of their retirement security. It also could mean that the next 2 elections will be determined by wiser, smarter people, because the youngsters will lose interest rapidly, as they realize that campaign promises are chaff in the wind, and it is much easier to talk about change than it is to make it happen.

Jack I am 63 now and listening to news everyday I will never reach 2030 so they won't have me to kick around anymore....hehehe. Good luck to all the young folk out there I truly think they will need it....Bye, Bye.

Dave

As many have suggested, it will mean that "Gray power" will force our elected officials to do some serious re-assesments of what is important to the citizens.

We will need to take better care of ourselves, eat wisely, exercise, and yes, the economy will hurt. There will be fewer young people to put into medicare and social security. But if we don't take care of ourselves, there will be more need for medical care, and fewer working people to be the nurses/doctors/med techs we will need.