es. Market values and retirees assets will drop and prices will rise as labor becomes scarce and wages soar. If Boomers opt to liquidate their equity investments as they approach retirement, the results could be catastrophic. Boomer investments have caused a sevenfold increase in total stock, bond, and money market assets during the past ten years (Buckner). If boomers dump stock en masse, it could be the big one for the market and the national economy.Finally, I would like to look at how the demand for social services will be filled The size of this generation is sure to put a strain on programs designed to help senior citizens. The Social Security fund will run out if revisions are not made to the program. The baby boomers could have 30 to 35 years of active living ahead of them after they retire. Their families are much smaller, which will make it difficult for an elderly Boomer to gain assistance from their offspring. It is easier to get help if you have six children than it is when relying on one or two.The baby boomers have lived in prosperous times. This privilege gives people a sense of entitlement. It will be interesting to see if they push to get the things they think they deserve. The next generation of elderly will be better educated and informed. When combined with their numbers, this will give them organizational and political clout to advance their agenda. Recent events in Florida politics offer an instructive leading indicator: Elder power has slowed spending programs for children, while a new state agency was created to represent the needs and concerns of older citizens. (Sullivan).The baby boom generation has had a profound effect on the American economy at each stage of their life starting with the demand created for goods, then filling the labor market. Now well have to wait and see if their retirement will cause the doom predicted by some or create the marketplace godsend predicted by others....
