Impending Retirement - Baby Boomers retirement survey - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

American Demographics, August 1, 2001

America's most influential generation is at it again, this time in the workplace. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that by 2008, aging Baby Boomers will inflate the proportion of workers ages 45 and older to 40 percent, from just 33 percent of the labor force who fit that bill in 1998. And we all know what comes next. The first wave of Boomers has already begun to retire, and as more continue to do so between now and 2008, those occupations with the greatest number of older workers will be crying out for new recruits. Looking to land a job vacated by a Boomer? Look no further than the front desk. Between 1998 and 2008, BLS estimates that 519,000 secretarial positions will open up. Opportunities will also abound in the field of education, since - like most public sector employees - workers in public education are covered by pension plans that allow retirement at age 55.

LOTS OF SHOES TO FILL

Number of workers needed to replace those who will retire between 1998 and 2008.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics