New Seniors

If you were born between 1930 and 1945 you are a “New Senior.”  There is no test, no application you now part of our community.  Over the years, we’ve had numerous names.  Depression kids or war babies worked for a while, even though it served to separate rather than unite us.  Then the post-war birth rate was dubbed a boom, so it became convenient to combine the two age groups into one and call us pre-boomers.  We never really felt comfortable being known as the group that preceded the baby boomers.  So it’s time pre-boomers got some recognition instead of being the forgotten generation.

Pre-boomers are reaching a milestone, because 2010 is the year we will all be 65 or older. It’s fitting to declare this the year of the “New Seniors.”  Our 30 million citizens are sandwiched between the greatest generation and the baby boomers, yet we are different from both these groups.

Our parents’ generation made a great contribution to this country and the world.  After surviving the Great Depression, they were called upon to sacrifice again and fight World War II for freedom here and abroad.  At the same time they instilled in us truths to live by, which pre-boomers will likely remember forever.  Their work is done, and we are losing them at an ever increasing rate.  So the torch has been passed on to us, the “New Seniors.”  With this goes a responsibility to continue practicing what they taught us and help keep America a land of liberty, based on solid principles, with opportunities for all.

Those following us are beginning to age, if not mature.  In another year, the first wave of baby boomers will begin turning 65 and will continue to reach this age until 2030.  So this trailing generation of 76 million people must get ready to grow up whether they like it or not.  That’s were we can help.  “New Seniors” have forged the path for them.  We know what it means to plan for retirement, the thrill of being free from the workplace and the sadness that ultimately swells up inside when the reality of knowing we can’t go back finally hits us.  We are financially responsible.  We have lived life on life’s terms and did a pretty good job of it.  We can be living examples of what it means to be grandparents and great grandparents and the joy that goes with it.  We have much to teach if the students are willing to learn.  The way things are they might not have much of a choice.

“New Seniors” had a lifetime of good teachers, role models and people who cared.  These mentors endeavored to instill in us the belief in freedom and how it was not something to take for granted because is was not free.  Along the way, Americans have forgotten about this just as they have about our generation.  We need to remind our fellows that both are alive and well.  Better yet, the “New Seniors” need to demonstrate that the promises have not changed for those who are willing to work for them.

Yes, the future is still bright; we just need to clean our glasses to see how bright.  This country needs to reset its moral compass.  It will take an appreciation of our traditions coupled with proven experience and a willingness to find common sense solutions in order to get our nation back on track.  And the ones who can do it are the “New Seniors.”

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Don Potter: Editor-in-Chief

Don Potter, a veteran of the ad agency business, is a Philadelphia native currently living in Los Angeles. He is the author of an acclaimed marketing book, The 50+ Boomer: Your Key to 76 Million Consumers. In retirement, Potter has written two novels, hundreds of articles and is a frequent lecturer. A leading advocate for those 65+, he is a founder of NewSeniors.com.

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