Research and Publications

As millions of boomers retire, the federal government will be especially hard hit. One solution: Look toward other retiring boomers.

The grassroots youth service movement of the 1980s, recognized by a federal commission on national service, offers lessons for a commission focused on service by boomers.

The results of this 2005 survey, sponsored by MetLife Foundation and Encore.org and conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International, show that people in their 50s and 60s want to do work that helps others. These individuals want careers that are about people, purpose and community.

The findings of this 2002 survey, conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates, show that 9/11 appeared to have a galvanizing effect on the retirement plans of Americans ages 50 to 75. Forty percent of people in that age group reported feeling more likely to volunteer as a result of the terrorist attacks.

If we can motivate experienced Americans to apply a portion of their newfound time and accumulated experience toward public service, the result would be a windfall for American civic life as this 2002 research found.