The Politics of Aging

Political Perspective

The demographic referred to as the “baby boomers” have many factors to consider as their lifespan increases. Today, careers last longer than ever and the possibility of the retirement age being extended is valid as many companies do not impose age limits; allowing work beyond sixty-five has become a fixture in America’s workplaces. Competition will increase for limited entry-level positions, especially as Agers pursue new careers thereby clashing with younger generations. In this scenario, organizations could expect a rise in the median age and a diminishment of fresh insights from their workers as experienced leaders hold onto their positions for longer periods of time.

Retirement for the Ager population poses a real threat to stability; many in this group desire to maintain their high standards of living. Striking facts reveal the motivation behind an increasing demand for representation in an aging population: around 66% of Baby Boomers do not have adequate financial means by which to retire and the current funds they do hold have been destabilized by the economic downturn (Hudson, 2005, p. 87–88). In effect, an aging White majority population faces increased competition from young and mobile non-White populations even as Agers demand a larger share of government funds to cover increasing healthcare costs (Hudson, 2005, p. 88). The conflict of interest appears set to grow with time as aging White-only Americans with a growing median age increasingly invoke a sense of entitlement to assert their political influence.

Employers face the challenge of adjusting business models to accommodate an older workforce. By the year 2015, workers over 55 will make up one in every 5 employees in the U.S. This impacts employers directing human resources, healthcare, and retirement benefits (Tishman, 2012). The change will require meaningful policies to address the substantial cost differentials, especially for smaller businesses.

In addition to the workplace responding to Agers with various adjustments, politicians are also responding to the growing Ager’s voice. Schulz and Binstock (2006) concluded in their article that voters age 65 and over have not historically been candidates for block voting on social security and senior issues. However, during the 2010 election, statistics revealed that seniors did vote in concert when the threat of Medicare and Social Security became an issue (Binstock, 2011). In the face of threats to economic benefits that many seniors depend on and feel a sense of entitlement to, the voters invoked a social call to arms as "the troops" went to the polls in droves to make their voices heard. Binstock (2011) stated that this was “the first time in 4 decades, there were signs of an old-age voting bloc in the 2010 election” (p. 408). Political strategists are paying full attention to future elections and coming to a greater understanding of the political power of the Agers group. Moreover, while other age groups have been slowing down in their participation at the polls, the voting participation of Agers steadily increases. Today, politicians face a perception that varied age groups encounter direct conflicts of interest. These conflicts find their root in trends that increasingly push political directives toward value-based initiatives influenced by different culture (Leyman & Carmines, 1997, p. 751). As American diversity continues to grow, political conflicts of interest between Agers and other demographics are likely to increase in kind.

Not only are Agers concerned with Medicare and Social Security, but other programs remain at the forefront of their interests as well. Among these interests, recreational and support resources grow in importance. Senior care centers, primarily funded by government agencies, create recreation and opportunities for social integration, access to health care, and other social services. Over 11,000 agencies facilitate the support of 4,000,000+ Agers on an annual basis (Pardasani, 2012). These agencies supply integral care and lifestyle options for seniors. Seniors will continue to make their voices heard in support of continued government health funding and policy decisions that positively impact the aging process.

However, the cost of aging affects the implementation of currently developing political issues. Americans face concerns about the changing climate along with developing environmentally sustainable technology, their evolving leadership role in a rapidly changing world, and the continuous threat of terrorism in spite of the completion of wars lasting well over a decade. As the implementation of beneficial healthcare solutions has been taken over by the Affordable Care Act, Americans still worry about the economy, especially in terms of how it will affect a government they remain utterly unsatisfied with. The Washington Post hosted a recent forum posing this question to their readership. The result highlighted a growing concern for the distribution of wealth, a call for less corporate tax loopholes, a return to greater financial regulatory oversight as originally implemented in the Glass-Steagall Act, a renewed focus on education standards, and focused investment in the national infrastructure (Wonkblog, 2011, p. 1). Although the Boomer population represents a significant call for political attention, many factors remain in play.

Agers represent a powerful constituency and have a significant voice in the twenty-first century political landscape. Involved both socially and politically, many representatives in this voting bloc benefit from financial resources and time. In addition to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), additional senior advocacy organizations are forming to protect and support the most important issues to this growing strategic voice.

Current politicians face a massive burden in future planning as the United States experiences significant demographic changes in the coming decades. Ortman and Guarneri (2009) note that the US will experience swift growth in the aging population demographic as well as in the Hispanic population, thereby contributing to increased racial and ethnic diversity (p. 1). With impending growth spurts resting in the coming decades, politicians must address the needs of a growing multicultural population with the needs of the aging, current majority Caucasian demographic. With the wide differences between people groups, American voters deserve policies that address the wide range of cultural needs of this aging heterogeneous population.

Although the perfection of future figures remains limited, statistics can provide reasonable projections of how the Ager population will develop alongside the growing Hispanic demographic. By 2050, researchers expect Hispanic populations growth to represent over 30% of the population as the White alone representation decreases slightly (Ortman et al., 2011, p. 3). This occurs as a result of higher fertility rates among Hispanics and a substantially low median age level than other demographics; thus, even in the absence of immigration into the United States, the Hispanic population will enjoy significant political power growth as they integrate into American society (Ortman et al., 2011, p. 3–4). It appears that there exists no better time for the Agers to wield their political clout in policy development as they may be overtaken in the coming decades.

References

Hudson, R. B. (2005). The new politics of old age policy. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press.

Leyman, G. C., & Carmines, E. E. (1997). Cultural conflict in American politics: Religious traditionalism, postmaterialism, and U.S. political behavior. The Journal of Politics, 59(3), 751–777.

Ortman, J. M., & Guarneri, C. E. (2009, January 1). United States population projections. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/population/projections /files/analytical-document09.pdf

Wonkblog, S. (2013, November 5). What is the most pressing economic problem facing the United States, and what policy would you enact to try to fix it?. The Washington Post. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/what-is-the-most-pressing-economic-problem-facing-the-united-states-and-what-policy-would-you-enact-to-try-to-fix-it/0f77e5ae-4326-11e3-a624-41d661b0bb78_topic.html