Thread: Latino Boomers flying under radar

Latino Boomers flying under radar

America is witnessing a historic moment: the convergence of aging Baby Boomers with a burgeoning Latino population. That fact draws our attention to the people who fall into both categories: the Latino Baby Boomers, a population that is largely invisible.

Given that key issues such as Social Security, Medicare and pension reform are high on voter concerns in this election year, it is imperative to know as much as possible about this group. My own research thus far suggests that they are especially vulnerable, and the more we know about them, the better our political leaders will be able to address this unforeseen dilemma.

There is a dearth of information about the 10% of Boomers who are Latino. As a whole, the Latino population scores poorly on socioeconomic status. For example, in 2006, only 59% of Latinos older than 25 had a high school degree or higher, compared with 81% of non-Latino blacks and 91% of non-Latino whites. Low education levels lead Latinos into jobs with lower incomes. A recent Pew Hispanic Center report showed annual median Latino personal earnings at $20,124, compared with $22,941 for non-Latino blacks and $30,186 for non-Latino whites. In turn, these low-paying jobs often provide minimal pension and health care benefits or no benefits at all. Census data show that non-Latino whites are three times more likely to have health insurance than Latinos.

The bottom line is that Latinos experience a cumulative disadvantage in economic terms. Despite this, Latinos live longer than the general population, according to the Social Security Administration. These years of increased life add to financial burdens on older Latinos, who typically underutilize savings and retirement accounts. As a result, more than a quarter of Latino households have zero or negative net worth.

As a country, we know we face a crush of Baby Boomers who will soon retire. But we know very little about how well prepared Latino Baby Boomers are for retirement.

This election year, a more detailed portrait of Latino Boomers is needed, which will help guide our new president and Congress in shaping public policy.

Fernando Torres-Gil is the director of A New Latino Agenda: Realities on Aging, Diversity, & Latino Financial Security, a collaborative two-year research project of the UCLA Center for Policy Research on Aging, the USC Ethel Percy Andrus Gerontology Center and the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center.

Posted at 12:15 AM/ET, September 12, 2008 in Forum commentary, Race Issues/Civil rights - Forum | Permalink
USA TODAY - Online - Opinion
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Boo-hoo...you can't fix stupid. Affirmative Action benefited ALL minorities and women. Those who didn't grab onto the life saver when it was available lost out. That's the way it goes.

America's float has no more space; Deport and cease immigration until America needs more people.

If they came to this country many years ago and worked under several different names over the years or mostly worked under the table jobs and then got their citizenship in 1986 when Reagan gave amnesty to 3 million illegal aliens they are going to have a hard time with the Social Security system and won't get much money.

That is what happens when you break the law.

the Latino Baby Boomers, a population that is largely invisible.

BELIEVE ME, THEY ARENT HIDING IN ANY SHADOWS. THEY ARE RIGHT OUT IN THE OPEN FLAUNTING THEIR ILLEGAL STATUS ALL OVER THE PLACE!

FIX THE 14TH AMENDMENT!