Economic Golden Oldies

Old is the new gold.

The mantrais a familiar one: theworkforce of tomorrow.” Every state and every major metro area target the same recruits: millennials. Their jobs, their lifestyles; our economic viability, our future.

And yet.

According to an AARP study, post-millennial Floridians–those 50 and older–currently generate 54 percent of the state’s economy and pay 67 percent of state and local taxes. And that’s while accounting for only 38 percent of the state’s population.

“The report adds to a growing body of research that shows that in economic terms, gray is gold,” says AARP Florida state director Jeff Johnson. Moreover, AARP is making sure these numbers get in front of state leaders to prod them into doing more to actually attract–as well as support–the over-50 set.

In other words, Florida can do a lot more to attract entrepreneurs in their 50s or older who would be receptive to a Visit Florida-type lifestyle pitch. In further words, let’s not leave it up to Sun City Center and The Villages to do non-millennial recruiting.

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