Not the retiring sort
New research into the intentions and aspirations of New Zealand Baby Boomers as the first of this generational cohort approach traditional retirement age.
New research into the intentions and aspirations of New Zealand Baby Boomers as the first of this generational cohort approach traditional retirement age.
Current social policy convention in New Zealand forecasts a future where the nation’s million-strong baby boomer cohort will retire at 65, stressing the superannuation and healthcare resources of the country to (some predict) breaking point and leaving behind a skills gap that will reduce the productivity of the workforce and slow economic growth. These forecasts are premised on the idea that baby boomers want to retire at 65 and that their future behaviour can be reliably predicted based on the behaviour of the current population of over-65 year olds. Although widely adopted, these assumptions have no research base.
New research I conducted in August 2009 for my MBA thesis provides research evidence that these two key assumptions are inaccurate and misleading, by asking baby boomers themselves.
The New Zealand Boomer Dreams Study 2009 was a comprehensive online attitudinal study of 1,162 New Zealand baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964. It was the first behavioural research of its type undertaken in New Zealand and was compared with the findings with the Boomer Dreams Study 2006, conducted in the USA in 2006 by The Futures Company. The New Zealand Boomer Dreams Study 2009 provides some insights into what the social fabric of New Zealand might look like over the next forty years, looking at the dreams and aspirations of New Zealand baby boomers as they approach traditional retirement age.
New research I conducted in August 2009 for my MBA thesis provides research evidence that these two key assumptions are inaccurate and misleading, by asking baby boomers themselves.
The New Zealand Boomer Dreams Study 2009 was a comprehensive online attitudinal study of 1,162 New Zealand baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964. It was the first behavioural research of its type undertaken in New Zealand and was compared with the findings with the Boomer Dreams Study 2006, conducted in the USA in 2006 by The Futures Company. The New Zealand Boomer Dreams Study 2009 provides some insights into what the social fabric of New Zealand might look like over the next forty years, looking at the dreams and aspirations of New Zealand baby boomers as they approach traditional retirement age.
The short answers is that New Zealand baby booemrs are “not the retiring sort”, but will instead renegotiate the meaning of work, leisure and aging.
I have just completed reading your study; very well done. It rounded out my recent research on the topic (personal interest) and am so glad I came across it. It exudes passion for the topic and I thank you for it. All the best.
ReplyDeleteJon