A poll by the MetLife Mature Market Institute conducted by Zogby International shows that 60 percent of Americans believe “old” is age 71 and over, but that 65 percent also wish they were under 40.
“Since the population is aging and there are more people in middle age than ever before, the idea that old begins at 30 is outdated and people are not considered old until much later in life,” said Sandra Timmermann, director of the MetLife Mature Market Institute.
The study indicates that even younger people, those between 18 and 24, have adjusted their idea of old. A majority, 59 percent in that age group, refers to old as someone over 60. Furthermore, though most people over 35 say they wish they were younger and there is a clear desire to be young, there are a significant number of older people, 31 percent of those over 70, who are content with their current age.
“As time goes on, changed attitudes will result in increased numbers of older people who will continue to work, to start their own businesses, or to join with younger generations to help meet community needs. No longer will there be social pressure to ‘hang it up’ at a certain age,” Timmermann predicted.
Americans are now expected to live to age 77. The median age of those in the U.S. is now 35.3, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. There are 36.3 million people 65 and over; this age group accounts for 12 percent of the total.
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