The 55+ spend more than the 65+ - is this suprising?

Research conducted by ACNielen (in the US) showed that while the 65+ represent 8% of households with incomes in excess of $70,000 per year, they comprise more than one-quarter of households at the lower end of the economic spectrum (less than $20,000 per year).

One possible explanation for this wealth distribution pattern might be the fact that almost a third of adults 55+ years of age work whilst only 17% of the 65+ are employed. According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics' Consumer Expenditure Survey, where the head of the household is 65 (in 2000) the average annual spend was $26,533 compared to $50,000 for boomers.

A study conducted by the Met Life Mature Market Institute suggests that fully half of all Boomers intend to work beyond retirement, which will shift them to the higher end of the wealth range. Data projections show that, when the last Boomer turns 65 in 2030, this contingent will control 40 percent of U.S. disposable income and wield influence far beyond its 20 percent incidence rate in the population.

Dick Stroud www.20plus30.com