Demographics-What's in a number

Date:   7/28/2005 8:33:18 AM ( 19 y ago)

9th ~Geez, I gotta laugh at this one- What? Most americans wish they were over 40? BS!Although, I did like 42 the best, but that was about a man, not an age. I still think of that one fondly! Ok back to the point- what was that point? Ah yes, 71 is the beginning of old age only because we babyboomers aren't there yet! Believe me when I say I've been watching the demographics for the last 15-20 years and as soon as the wave of population that I belong to hits any demarcation having to do with age~ it suddenly is young~ no matter the number.

And here comes the point...it is not the number it, is the quality of life...we are the arbiter generation we are changing (or already have) what the word "adult" means- we play still- and we love our imaginations, and speak our dreams openly.... we are laying the ground work for the next wave to breach all preconcieved notions...You Age of Aquarius-ers make the choice... It's up to you!




Sixty Percent of Americans Believe ``Old'' is Age 71 and over Most Americans Wish They Were under 40, According to Metlife Mature Market Institute/Zogby International Poll

WESTPORT, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 27, 2005--A poll by the MetLife Mature Market Institute(R) conducted by Zogby International shows that 60% of Americans believe "old" is age 71 and over, but that 65% also wish they were under 40. The survey is part of the Mature Market Institute's ongoing research on aging in America.


"This data shows that the phrase from the 1960's, don't trust anyone over 30, may have gone the way of flower power and groovy," said Sandra Timmermann, Ed.D., director of the MetLife Mature Market Institute. "Since the population is aging and there are more people in middle age than ever before, the idea that old begins at 30 is outdated and people are not considered old until much later in life."

The study indicates that even younger people, those between 18 and 24, have adjusted their idea of old. A majority, 59% in that age group, refers to old as someone over 60. Furthermore, though most people over 35 say they wish they were younger and there is a clear desire to be young, there are a significant number of older people, 31% of those over 70, who are content with their current age.

"The implications for workforce participation and social involvement will be far-reaching," Timmermann predicted. "As time goes on, changed attitudes will result in increased numbers of older people who will continue to work, to start their own businesses, or to join with younger generations to help meet community needs. No longer will there be social pressure to 'hang it up' at a certain age."

How Old is Old?

Thirty-two percent of respondents to the poll say the ages between 71 and 80 are old. Eighteen percent say 81 to 90 is old and 12% say old is between 41 and 60.

Respondents living in the west (37%) were the most likely to say old is 71 to 80, while southerners (23%) were most likely to put "old" in the 61 to 70 range.

As might be expected, as age increases, so does the answer to the question, "how old is old?" Thirty percent of those under 30 say 61 to 70 is old, while more than one in three 50 to 64-year-olds say 71 to 80 is old.

Whites are slightly more likely than African Americans and Hispanics to choose a younger age as old.

In general, single respondents are more likely than married ones to choose a younger age as old, while those who are married are more likely to choose an older age.

And, displaying a distinct difference between the sexes, men are more likely than women to say an age under 60 is old (22% of men vs. 8% of women).

How Old Do You Wish You Were?

According to the survey's second question, "how old do you wish you were?," 35% of respondents say they would like to be between 21 and 30. Another 17% wish they were between 31 and 40. There is a small group of six and five percent, respectively, who would like to be between 51 and 60 and 61 and 70, reflecting people who are content with their current age. Almost no one wants to be over 81.

Men are more likely than women to wish they were an age under 30. One in five women (20%) wish they were between 31 and 40, compared to 13% of men with that desire.

Eighteen to 29-year-olds are the most satisfied with their current age, or close to it, as 62% say they would like to be 21 to 30. Two in five (40%) 30 to 49-year-olds wish they were in their twenties, nearly twice as many of that age group who wish they were in their thirties. Fifty to 64-year-old are closely divided between wishing they were 21 to 30 (24%) or 51 to 60 (21%) and respondents 65 and older are closely divided in wishing they were 21 to 50 and 61 to 80.

Americans are now expected to live to age 77. The median age of those in the U.S. is now 35.3, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. There were 36.3 million people 65 and over in the United States on July 1, 2004. This age group accounts for 12% of the total population. Between 2003 and 2004, 351,000 people moved into this age group.

The Zogby International survey of likely voters was conducted between June 20 and June 22, 2005 with questions posed to a random sample of 1,000 people. There is a margin of error of +/-3.2 percentage points.

The MetLife Mature Market Institute is MetLife's information and policy resource center on issues related to aging, retirement, long-term care and the mature market. The Institute, staffed by gerontologists, provides research, training and education, consultation and information to support MetLife, its corporate customers and business partners.

MetLife, a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) is a leading provider of insurance and other financial services to millions of individual and institutional customers throughout the United States. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife, Inc. offers life insurance, annuities, automobile and homeowner's insurance and retail banking services to individuals, as well as group insurance, reinsurance and retirement and savings products and services to corporations and other institutions. Outside the U.S., the MetLife companies have direct insurance operations in Asia Pacific, Latin America and Europe. For more information, please visit http://www.metlife.com.

Editor's note: Report available at: http://www.maturemarketinstitute.com/

Contacts


DJC Communications
Debra J. Caruso, 212-907-0051
debra@djccommunications.com
or
MetLife
Christine Bonney, 212-578-9558
cbonney@metlife.com










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