Reinventing Aging: Baby Boomers and Civic Engagement

This report was prepared by the Harvard School of Public Health-MetLife Foundation Initiative on Retirement and Civic Engagement. The main message of the Report is that there is an opportunity to help boomers create a social legacy of importance. Their added years of life give them the chance. Their experiences in life give them the capability. And the need to come to terms with the world in a way that brings integrity to their life gives them the psychological incentive. Much may depend on the actions of the first wave of boomers, many of whom, while inspired in their formative years by President Kennedy's call-to-service, have been notably less involved in civic life than their parents. This first wave may well serve as role models for younger boomers, and for future generations as well. Chapter include the Future of Working Life and Retirement, the Outlook for Volunteering, Building Infrastructure, and Framing a New Vision of Aging. (Author)