Boomers - The Luckiest Generation, Still Lucky

Oh, we boomers were lucky. 

Cherished after the carnage of World War II, industries and institutions were created to service us. 

We were the first generation to attend college en masse. Back then it was downright cheap. 

A sustained economic growth boom made it easy to get and change jobs. We joked: So, they fired us. We walk across the street and land another job paying $20k more, with tuition paid by the new employer for the MBA. 

Some made it to the top and stayed. They include Disney's Bob Iger (74), Paul Weiss' Brad Karp (64) and JP Morgan's Jamie Dimon (69).

Rebellion? There were no tradeoffs for speaking up. Because of our large numbers - 76 million - society was plum scared of us.  

Sure, the Jack Welch-types of downsizings of corporations in the late 1980s were a setback. But by then we understood business and could set up our own boutiques. In our 70s many of us are still operating them or other enterprises we started. 

Along the way we invested. Most of us made a killing selling the house. 

Now, what's making headlines is the contention that we have run out of luck. In the Atlantic, Charley Locke makes that case. 

But as an intuitive coach and a tarot reader, that's not what I am bearing witness to. Aside from shock that we really are that old there seems to be lots of self-satisfaction. One bit of heaven is no longer having to set an alarm clock for the morning.

On days like today when the Dow plunges 800, of course, we're in angst about living to 100 or more and running so low on money that we'll be on as strict a budget as we had been in college and graduate school.

Now for the details. What "they" gleefully warn us about is that we won't be able to afford aging services like living our last years in a quality nursing home. And what about medical bills not covered by Medicare and Medicare supplements such as United Healthcare Medicare Advantage? 

Actually, more of us have already covered those bases.

In whispers among ourselves, we continue to be the generation which did our own thing. Remember how we overthrew our mothers. 

We will also overthrow conventional ideas about "a life." The earnest conversations focus on when to depart this dimension through self-deliverance, not if. The methodologies are discussed frequently. Included is the one-way trip to Switzerland. Some of us are putting money aside for that.

In addition, at least so far, most of us have had serious medical crises covered mostly by Medicare, Medicare supplements and other insurance we purchased. 

On April 27, 2024, in a car accident I experienced a near-death experience. Out of pocket I only paid about a thousand dollars. With the exception of one medication, the pricey stuff I take has no co-pay. There is so much medical information available we can monitor our health and discern if we are going to turn down certain kinds of expensive testing which represents a fishing trip. 

Okay, the percentage of those over-65 existing below the poverty line or homeless is growing. Research shows that tends to be based on location, some states having higher than average rates. An option is relocation to the areas assessed as "cheap to live." Another is co-living, that is, sharing a communal residence. Such an arrangement can be multi-generational. 

We boomers have been blessed. Aside from the normal worries and regrets, those on my networks and I continue to see ourselves as basking in grace. "Grace" is usually defined as receiving what you don't deserve. The economy we were in was one of abundance. Gen Zers are in one of scarcity.

Rattled by the uncertainty? Faith-based Career Coaching. Special expertise with transitions, reskilling and aging. Psychic/tarot readings, upon request. Complimentary consultation with Jane Genova (Text 203-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com). Yes, test out the chemistry.