Updated May 15, 2025.
Boomers set a new course for retirement
An average of approximately 4 million baby boomers are expected to turn 65 through 2027. This marks a significant milestone known as “Peak 65,” where the number of people reaching retirement age is at a historic high. But “65” has been tarnished over the years, seen as “the end,” of work, of productivity, of an active life. But, day in and day out, we hear that 65 is a time of life not near over.
This excerpt from an old Pew Research survey still sums up the attitude of many baby boomers:
“But don’t tell Boomers that old age starts at age 65. The typical Boomer believes that old age doesn’t begin until age 72, according to a 2009 Pew Research survey. About half of all American adults say they feel younger than their actual age, but fully 61% of Boomers say this. In fact, the typical Boomer feels nine years younger than his or her chronological age.”
We asked people what “65” means to them, and the responses showed the vitality of those who view the second half of life as a time to do more.
If you are approaching 65, or way past it, take a moment to write down — in 65 words — your views on turning 65. Regardless of whether you are now 55, 65, or 75, we suspect that 65 is a powerful, passionate and productive time to make our world the world we want it to be.
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