The simple answer is yes — and not just the wording on your flyer or website. The change might require a fundamental shift in the way you view your audience and even who to target.

The infamous Baby Boomer generation just reached another important milestone… retirement.  The first Boomer turned 65 at the beginning of 2011 and for the next 19 years, 10,000 Boomers will retire every day.

Every generation has specific characteristics that define it. Millennials are growing up with the Internet, which some blame for their short attention spans and need for instant gratification.  The Great Generation (parents of Baby Boomers) grew up during the Great Depression and learned to save their money and be resourceful in their everyday life.

In their prime, Baby Boomers were big spenders.  Generally speaking, Boomers felt entitled to buy nice things and not worry as much about retirement, hoping to inherit their parents’ money and rely on Social Security when the time came.

But the world is a completely different place than it was 40 years ago.  Economically, socially and politically – things have changed.  These unexpected changes have knocked the baby boomers off their feet and they are now coping with the side effects of becoming what many call the “sandwich generation.”

Nearly 85 percent of 2010 college grads (and children of Boomers) planned to move back home with their parents because they either wanted to save money or they had no choice, according to an article by CNN Money. The recession and unemployment have hit recent college grads especially hard.

To make matters worse, nearly one out of every eight boomers is caring for their own family while providing some type of financial assistance to an elderly parent.

The sad reality is that 20 years ago, Boomers thought they would be taken care of by Social Security and their parents’ money; but today things are the complete opposite.  Social security has an uncertain future and many statistics show that inherited money is spent too quickly to provide stability.

This leaves Baby Boomers with an uncertain future.  Although the official retirement age is 65, nearly 75% of Boomers plan to continue working full or part time well past that age.

And your marketing plan needs to reflect that. Let Burst Marketing help you adjust to current and future trends.