The Federal Government is doing its part to get baby boomers up to speed when it comes to dealing with technology. The Social Security Administration is now making it possible for you to register for Medicare benefits ONLINE, even if you are not ready to sign up for your monthly Social Security check.
The new online application, which takes less than 10 minutes to complete, is for people reaching the Medicare eligibility age of 65 who want to delay filing for Social Security retirement benefits
To apply online for Medicare do the following.
● go to www.socialsecurity.gov and
● choose Retirement/Medicare under the header, “Select Below To Apply For.”
You will be asked a brief series of questions.
If you have a question or need additional information, there are “more info” links.
When you’re done, just select the “Sign Now” button to submit the application.
There are no paper forms to sign, and usually no additional documents are required. If more information is needed, Social Security will contact you by phone or letter.
Make sure you ***tweet this*** to let all of your baby boomer friends on Twitter know.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Baby Boomers and the Tea Party
Despite what I may have been led to believe, the so-called Tea Party Movement is not made up of uneducated red necks from the trailer park. According to research conducted by CNN, tea partiers are mostly college educated white, male baby boomers, who earn more than $50,000 a year, live in rural areas, and identify themselves as conservatives.
These baby boomers---so-called activists---let it be known that they did not want to see the Health Care Reform Bill pass and their actions were nothing short of despicable. For example, a crowd of them shouted the "n word" at Congressman John Lewis, They yelled homophobic epithets at Rep. Barney Frank, an openly gay congressman. And one protester actually spat on a Black member of Congress.
But they didn't stop there. Death threats were issued to Democrats who voted for reform—one had a coffin left on his lawn and another was told snipers would kill the children of lawmakers who voted yes. Several Democrats had their district offices vandalized, and a gas line was cut at a home that tea partiers mistakenly believed belonged to Rep. Tom Perriello.
Who said baby boomers were the most diverse generation?
These baby boomers---so-called activists---let it be known that they did not want to see the Health Care Reform Bill pass and their actions were nothing short of despicable. For example, a crowd of them shouted the "n word" at Congressman John Lewis, They yelled homophobic epithets at Rep. Barney Frank, an openly gay congressman. And one protester actually spat on a Black member of Congress.
But they didn't stop there. Death threats were issued to Democrats who voted for reform—one had a coffin left on his lawn and another was told snipers would kill the children of lawmakers who voted yes. Several Democrats had their district offices vandalized, and a gas line was cut at a home that tea partiers mistakenly believed belonged to Rep. Tom Perriello.
Who said baby boomers were the most diverse generation?
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Where are the Baby Boomers Located
It should come as no surprise that the majority of baby boomers reside in the largest states. According to data recorded by the US Census in 2008, here is how the top states ranked for baby boomers:
California 8,809,263
Texas 5,637,468
NY 5,081,366
Florida 4,647,133
Pennsylvania 3,372,858
Ohio 3,056,377
Meanwhile, according to the AARP, here are the top places for baby boomers to reinvent themselves in retirement:
1) Loveland, Colorado
2) Las Cruces, NM
3) Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
4) Portland, Oregon
5) Greenville, SC
6) Sarasota, FL
7) Ann Arbor, MI
8) Tuscon, AZ
9) Montpelier, VT
10) Honolulu, HI
How many of these cities have you visited and what do you think of them? I've been to Greenville, SC and as a baby boomer I can definitely say it is NOT a place for African-American baby boomers to spend the rest of their lives.
California 8,809,263
Texas 5,637,468
NY 5,081,366
Florida 4,647,133
Pennsylvania 3,372,858
Ohio 3,056,377
Meanwhile, according to the AARP, here are the top places for baby boomers to reinvent themselves in retirement:
1) Loveland, Colorado
2) Las Cruces, NM
3) Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
4) Portland, Oregon
5) Greenville, SC
6) Sarasota, FL
7) Ann Arbor, MI
8) Tuscon, AZ
9) Montpelier, VT
10) Honolulu, HI
How many of these cities have you visited and what do you think of them? I've been to Greenville, SC and as a baby boomer I can definitely say it is NOT a place for African-American baby boomers to spend the rest of their lives.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Baby Boomer Women Out Number Baby Boomer Men
It's no longer a man's world when it comes to baby boomers. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau in 2008, women outnumber men by nearly two million. Women also outnumber men in every state but the following:
Alaska
Minnesota
Nevada
North Carolina
North Dakota
South Dakota
Wisconsin
Wyoming
According to the data, there are 77,329,698 baby boomers (men and women born between 1946 and 1964). Men account for 37,854,617; women 39,475,081.
Does this surprise you?
Alaska
Minnesota
Nevada
North Carolina
North Dakota
South Dakota
Wisconsin
Wyoming
According to the data, there are 77,329,698 baby boomers (men and women born between 1946 and 1964). Men account for 37,854,617; women 39,475,081.
Does this surprise you?
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
What We Want in a Man
Isn't it interesting how our ideas of what we want in a man changes as we age.
When we're in our 20's.....
1. Handsome
2. Charming
3. Financially successful
4. A caring listener
5. Witty
6. In good shape
7. Dresses with style
8. Appreciates finer things
9. Full of thoughtful surprises
When we're in our 30's....
1. Nice looking
2. Opens car doors, holds chairs
3. Has enough money for a nice dinner
4. Listens more than talks
5. Laughs at my jokes
6. Carries bags of groceries with ease
7. Owns at least one tie
8. Appreciates a good home-cooked meal
9. Remembers birthdays and anniversaries
Our 40's........
1. Not too ugly
2. Doesn't drive off until I'm in the car
3. Works steady - splurges on dinner out occasionally
4. Nods head when I'm talking
5. Usually remembers punch lines of jokes
6. Is in good enough shape to rearrange the furniture
7. Wears a shirt that covers his stomach
8. Knows not to buy champagne with screw-top lids
9. Remembers to put the toilet seat down
10. Shaves most weekends
Our 50's......
1. Keeps hair in nose and ears trimmed
2. Doesn't belch or scratch in public
3. Doesn't borrow money too often
4. Doesn't nod off to sleep when I'm venting
5. Doesn't re-tell the same joke too many times
6. Is in good enough shape to get off the couch on weekends
7. Usually wears matching socks and fresh underwear
8. Appreciates a good TV dinner
9. Remembers your name on occasion
10. Shaves some weekends
Our 60's......
1. Doesn't scare small children
2. Remembers where bathroom is
3. Doesn't require much money for upkeep
4. Only snores lightly when asleep
5. Remembers why he's laughing
6. Is in good enough shape to stand up by himself
7. Usually wears some clothes
8. Likes soft foods
9. Remembers where he left his teeth
10. Remembers that it's the weekend
The 70's.......
1. Breathing.
2. Doesn't miss the toilet.
Just a little humor from my girlfriend Maria.
When we're in our 20's.....
1. Handsome
2. Charming
3. Financially successful
4. A caring listener
5. Witty
6. In good shape
7. Dresses with style
8. Appreciates finer things
9. Full of thoughtful surprises
When we're in our 30's....
1. Nice looking
2. Opens car doors, holds chairs
3. Has enough money for a nice dinner
4. Listens more than talks
5. Laughs at my jokes
6. Carries bags of groceries with ease
7. Owns at least one tie
8. Appreciates a good home-cooked meal
9. Remembers birthdays and anniversaries
Our 40's........
1. Not too ugly
2. Doesn't drive off until I'm in the car
3. Works steady - splurges on dinner out occasionally
4. Nods head when I'm talking
5. Usually remembers punch lines of jokes
6. Is in good enough shape to rearrange the furniture
7. Wears a shirt that covers his stomach
8. Knows not to buy champagne with screw-top lids
9. Remembers to put the toilet seat down
10. Shaves most weekends
Our 50's......
1. Keeps hair in nose and ears trimmed
2. Doesn't belch or scratch in public
3. Doesn't borrow money too often
4. Doesn't nod off to sleep when I'm venting
5. Doesn't re-tell the same joke too many times
6. Is in good enough shape to get off the couch on weekends
7. Usually wears matching socks and fresh underwear
8. Appreciates a good TV dinner
9. Remembers your name on occasion
10. Shaves some weekends
Our 60's......
1. Doesn't scare small children
2. Remembers where bathroom is
3. Doesn't require much money for upkeep
4. Only snores lightly when asleep
5. Remembers why he's laughing
6. Is in good enough shape to stand up by himself
7. Usually wears some clothes
8. Likes soft foods
9. Remembers where he left his teeth
10. Remembers that it's the weekend
The 70's.......
1. Breathing.
2. Doesn't miss the toilet.
Just a little humor from my girlfriend Maria.
Friday, March 05, 2010
Tom Brokaw and The Boomer Report
On Thursday night, Tom Brokaw did a report called BOOMERS on CNBC. It was of great interest to me because I was born in 1957---which means I am a part of the baby boomer generation.
Part of Brokaw's report was done at the University of Michigan. I'm not sure why. If I had been doing that report I would've gone back to Kent State University because that is where four young people (who would be baby boomers today)were gunned down by the police while protesting agains the Vietnam War. But that's just me.
Much attention is being paid to baby boomers these days as the first wave of us moves towards retirement and social security. Brokaw attempted to give us a 50 year look at the boomers in a two-hour period.
Yes, we were the first generation to grow up with television; many of us lived through the civil rights era and the Vietnam War. But the “real” image of a baby boomer is what I question. Brokaw failed to show the true diversity of us as a group. We are not all white kids who grew up in the suburbs watching the Mickey Mouse Club. He referred to us as the most diverse generation but the fact of the matter is some of us actually grew up in a separate and unequal society and according to a Duke University study, diversity has not led to equality. Brokaw didn't talk about that. Instead, he showed us how one black man in America was living a life he never dreamed of. The fact of the matter is many blacks in the boomer generation are no better off relative to whites than their parents and grandparents. Many older southern baby boomers can still tell you stories about the Jim Crow laws and the impact it had on their lives.
We have also been called the wealthiest generation but despite what some would have you believe, we are not all living in the land of milk and honey. Some of us may have plenty of disposable income but, according to the Duke Study, quite a few of us are struggling financially.
One thing I will agree with in the report is a comment made by author J. Walker Smith. He said baby boomers became more focused on self and a promise of economic prosperity as they grew up. They became more focused on "things", and tried to live beyond their means. Greed and ego were also the order of our generation.
Maybe that explains some of the financial mess we're in. You think?
Part of Brokaw's report was done at the University of Michigan. I'm not sure why. If I had been doing that report I would've gone back to Kent State University because that is where four young people (who would be baby boomers today)were gunned down by the police while protesting agains the Vietnam War. But that's just me.
Much attention is being paid to baby boomers these days as the first wave of us moves towards retirement and social security. Brokaw attempted to give us a 50 year look at the boomers in a two-hour period.
Yes, we were the first generation to grow up with television; many of us lived through the civil rights era and the Vietnam War. But the “real” image of a baby boomer is what I question. Brokaw failed to show the true diversity of us as a group. We are not all white kids who grew up in the suburbs watching the Mickey Mouse Club. He referred to us as the most diverse generation but the fact of the matter is some of us actually grew up in a separate and unequal society and according to a Duke University study, diversity has not led to equality. Brokaw didn't talk about that. Instead, he showed us how one black man in America was living a life he never dreamed of. The fact of the matter is many blacks in the boomer generation are no better off relative to whites than their parents and grandparents. Many older southern baby boomers can still tell you stories about the Jim Crow laws and the impact it had on their lives.
We have also been called the wealthiest generation but despite what some would have you believe, we are not all living in the land of milk and honey. Some of us may have plenty of disposable income but, according to the Duke Study, quite a few of us are struggling financially.
One thing I will agree with in the report is a comment made by author J. Walker Smith. He said baby boomers became more focused on self and a promise of economic prosperity as they grew up. They became more focused on "things", and tried to live beyond their means. Greed and ego were also the order of our generation.
Maybe that explains some of the financial mess we're in. You think?
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