Boomers Rethink Retirement: Longer Years of Work, More Meager Lifestyle

For most Baby Boomers, even younger ones, the recession has done such a number on their retirement savings that they are gearing up to work longer, set aside more now and live a more modest lifestyle in their so-called golden years, USA Today reports.

Exacerbating what the stock market did to their savings, Boomers are also facing job losses, higher healthcare costs and lower home equity values. Nine percent of those age 45 or older said they have lost their jobs in the last 12 months, according to an AARP survey, and statistics show they will be out of work for an average of 22 weeks, as opposed to the 15 weeks it takes people between 20 and 24 to find a new job.

As John Coyne, president of Brinker Capital, put it, “This generation will be sobered by their experience. They may not have as extravagant a vision of retirement as they did last July.”

Adding to their woes, many Boomers are caught between assisting their elderly parents and putting their children through college. Thus, as the recent AARP survey showed, 35% of those between the ages of 45 and 54 have stopped 401(k), IRA and other retirement account contributions. Twenty-five percent have withdrawn money from a retirement account, 56% have postponed a major purchase and 24% are planning to retire at a later age.