I was in Columbia, SC doing legwork with our staff in preparation of this coming week's NARA Conference when I met an older gentleman and struck up a conversation. When the top turned to the NARA Conference, my new acquaintance had some insight into retirement.
He said he had retired years ago in the foothills or "Golden Corner of NW South Carolina and had been looking forward to happiness. It dawned on him after a couple of months of having a "Golfing Saturday" everyday that he was not happy.
My wife literally kicked him out of the house and told him to go back to work. I took a job for the interaction with people more than anything, he said.
I asked him what was most important to him in retirement.
He said that everybody should take an assessment of his/her life - write their obituary - in mid to later life. Then you know what's missing. "What was missing for me was volunteer activities and charitable work."
So, this volunteer set out to "puff up" his obituary and legacy by giving back. He realized this was a goal of his life that he had postponed for a long time.
Self-actualization. The idea of a life having true meaning. It's a powerful refrain, isn't it? We look forward to talking about these and other motivators this coming week in Columbia, SC. We hope to see you there. http://www.retirementlivingnews.com/2010conference.html
Showing posts with label NARA Retirement Lifestyles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NARA Retirement Lifestyles. Show all posts
Friday, October 15, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
Florida “Half-Backs” Fueling NC 55+ Relocation Market
Press Release
For more information, contact:
Dan Owens, President, National Active Retirement Association (NARA)
C (704)641-1469 * Toll Free (888)742-7362
Florida “Half-Backs” Fueling NC 55+ Relocation Market
Charlotte, NC (October 6, 2010) – The erosion of Florida’s famed resort retirement industry has helped pack up and send almost 40,000 people aged 55+ into North Carolina from Florida this decade and close to half of those transplants are aged 65+. The 55+ relocation pipeline has helped import hundreds of millions of wealth and spending to the state, according to NARA, a Charlotte-based national trade group.
“Studies have shown that an incoming typical retiree couple has the equivalent economic impact as 3.7 manufacturing or industrial jobs to a community,” said National Active Retirement Association (NARA) Executive Director Dan Owens. “North Carolina has significantly benefited financially from retirees resettling in the state from other regions of the country”
NC state government has not actively pursued retirement as an industry like Texas, Tennessee and Mississippi has, according to Owens. “I think we’ve left a long of wealth and spending on the table – especially in rural areas of the state – by not ramping up retiree attraction efforts,” he said.
Anecdotal reports have surfaced in recent years that Florida’s hot weather, multiple hurricanes, aggressive immigration and rising home prices have taken the burnish off what has been America’s golden retirement paradise for five decades. In the 1990s, Florida attracted a full one-quarter of all retirees leaving a state for another state. Today, reports are that number has sunk to somewhere between 15 and 20 percent.
Statistics derived from the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) indicate that Florida has emerged as the overwhelming source of older new NC residents. Assuming that almost all new residents eventually get a driver’s license, NCDMV data is seen as a close approximation of relocation statistics, especially between census reports.
For instance, NCDMV can track the age and source of new residents. Analysis of DMV information reveals that through 2000-2009, 38,188 new 55+ drivers gave up Florida licenses and received new North Carolina licenses. Of those, 18,293 were registered as being 65+.
The total 55+ migration to North Carolina from all states in the last few years has ranged from a 10-year high of just under 30,000 new residents in 2006, the height of the homebuilding market, to a low of just under 21,000 in 2009. In 2006, a high of over 11,000 new 65+ new residents settled in the state from other states. This number dwindled down to 8,000 last year.
“The average person might not think that receiving 8,000 new 65+ residents in 2009 is significant, but with 50+ Americans controlling over 75 percent of all financial wealth, just a few of these relocating retiree couples can have a significant impact on a town or suburb,” said Owens. He added that many older new residents also get involved in the community as mentors, part time employees, volunteers and civic or church leaders.
According to NCDMV data from 2000-2009, Wake slightly edged out Mecklenburg as the state’s most popular retirement county among those aged 55+, as well as those aged 65+. The top 10 NC counties attracting retirees in 2009 were similar throughout the decade: Brunswick (Wilmington), Buncombe (Asheville), Guilford (Greensboro), Henderson (Hendersonville), New Hanover (Wilmington), Forsyth (Winston-Salem) and Union counties were on both lists.
Cumberland was higher on the 55+ retiree attraction list, most probably because Fayetteville attracts career military who retire earlier. The Fayetteville economy has also gotten a boost from the expansion of the mission at Fort Bragg.
Moore (Pinehurst) was higher on the 65+ list, most probably because of the lure of a great resort, golf lifestyle, Owens said. Golf has declined as a relocation driver among younger retirees, he added.
Owens is not surprised at the large numbers exiting Florida for North Carolina.
“During a trip to the Florida Keys just a few years ago, I was astounded to be quizzed by a number of prominent people about housing and relocation once they learned I was from North Carolina,” he said. “I also saw regional developers and retirement community operators advertise in Florida right after the hurricanes with great success.
“Retirement officials in Texas and Tennessee – both with formal state-funded retiree relocation programs – have reportedly lured large numbers of Florida residents or Florida retirement prospects to their states,” Owens said.
New York was the second place “feeder” of mature new residents, producing 26,319 new 55+ residents and 8,988 new 65+ residents from 2000-2009. Rounding out the top 10 in most years were Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland, California, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, Texas and Connecticut. Michigan and Massachusetts also made appearances in the top 10 some years.
The topic of towns, cities and states formally attracting retirees as an economic development effort has been discussed by state officials for years. Legislation was passed to create a NC Certified Retirement Communities program several years ago, but it was never funded.
NARA will be hosting a number of national speakers that will be discussing the new Retiree Attraction industry Oct. 20-22 at their annual conference in Columbia, SC. Texas’ state retiree attraction director. (www.retirementlivingnews). Sherri Gothart Barron will be in Columbia discussing that state’s success and what new retirees have meant economically to Texas communities.
“North Carolina has been a top 5 national retiree relocation market in the past, but there are indications that even our state may be losing out to more aggressive and focused states,” said Owens. “Budgets are tight, but luring retirees needs to be viewed like luring new manufacturing plants and new workers. You’ve got to cast the net to catch the fish,” he said.
Owens noted that billions in home sales this decade can be traced back to out of state retirees buying primary and second homes. The added benefit is that these transplants bring lots of income, spending power and taxes, but don't require school services, he said.
##### 30 #####
For more information, contact:
Dan Owens, President, National Active Retirement Association (NARA)
C (704)641-1469 * Toll Free (888)742-7362
Florida “Half-Backs” Fueling NC 55+ Relocation Market
Charlotte, NC (October 6, 2010) – The erosion of Florida’s famed resort retirement industry has helped pack up and send almost 40,000 people aged 55+ into North Carolina from Florida this decade and close to half of those transplants are aged 65+. The 55+ relocation pipeline has helped import hundreds of millions of wealth and spending to the state, according to NARA, a Charlotte-based national trade group.
“Studies have shown that an incoming typical retiree couple has the equivalent economic impact as 3.7 manufacturing or industrial jobs to a community,” said National Active Retirement Association (NARA) Executive Director Dan Owens. “North Carolina has significantly benefited financially from retirees resettling in the state from other regions of the country”
NC state government has not actively pursued retirement as an industry like Texas, Tennessee and Mississippi has, according to Owens. “I think we’ve left a long of wealth and spending on the table – especially in rural areas of the state – by not ramping up retiree attraction efforts,” he said.
Anecdotal reports have surfaced in recent years that Florida’s hot weather, multiple hurricanes, aggressive immigration and rising home prices have taken the burnish off what has been America’s golden retirement paradise for five decades. In the 1990s, Florida attracted a full one-quarter of all retirees leaving a state for another state. Today, reports are that number has sunk to somewhere between 15 and 20 percent.
Statistics derived from the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) indicate that Florida has emerged as the overwhelming source of older new NC residents. Assuming that almost all new residents eventually get a driver’s license, NCDMV data is seen as a close approximation of relocation statistics, especially between census reports.
For instance, NCDMV can track the age and source of new residents. Analysis of DMV information reveals that through 2000-2009, 38,188 new 55+ drivers gave up Florida licenses and received new North Carolina licenses. Of those, 18,293 were registered as being 65+.
The total 55+ migration to North Carolina from all states in the last few years has ranged from a 10-year high of just under 30,000 new residents in 2006, the height of the homebuilding market, to a low of just under 21,000 in 2009. In 2006, a high of over 11,000 new 65+ new residents settled in the state from other states. This number dwindled down to 8,000 last year.
“The average person might not think that receiving 8,000 new 65+ residents in 2009 is significant, but with 50+ Americans controlling over 75 percent of all financial wealth, just a few of these relocating retiree couples can have a significant impact on a town or suburb,” said Owens. He added that many older new residents also get involved in the community as mentors, part time employees, volunteers and civic or church leaders.
According to NCDMV data from 2000-2009, Wake slightly edged out Mecklenburg as the state’s most popular retirement county among those aged 55+, as well as those aged 65+. The top 10 NC counties attracting retirees in 2009 were similar throughout the decade: Brunswick (Wilmington), Buncombe (Asheville), Guilford (Greensboro), Henderson (Hendersonville), New Hanover (Wilmington), Forsyth (Winston-Salem) and Union counties were on both lists.
Cumberland was higher on the 55+ retiree attraction list, most probably because Fayetteville attracts career military who retire earlier. The Fayetteville economy has also gotten a boost from the expansion of the mission at Fort Bragg.
Moore (Pinehurst) was higher on the 65+ list, most probably because of the lure of a great resort, golf lifestyle, Owens said. Golf has declined as a relocation driver among younger retirees, he added.
Owens is not surprised at the large numbers exiting Florida for North Carolina.
“During a trip to the Florida Keys just a few years ago, I was astounded to be quizzed by a number of prominent people about housing and relocation once they learned I was from North Carolina,” he said. “I also saw regional developers and retirement community operators advertise in Florida right after the hurricanes with great success.
“Retirement officials in Texas and Tennessee – both with formal state-funded retiree relocation programs – have reportedly lured large numbers of Florida residents or Florida retirement prospects to their states,” Owens said.
New York was the second place “feeder” of mature new residents, producing 26,319 new 55+ residents and 8,988 new 65+ residents from 2000-2009. Rounding out the top 10 in most years were Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland, California, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, Texas and Connecticut. Michigan and Massachusetts also made appearances in the top 10 some years.
The topic of towns, cities and states formally attracting retirees as an economic development effort has been discussed by state officials for years. Legislation was passed to create a NC Certified Retirement Communities program several years ago, but it was never funded.
NARA will be hosting a number of national speakers that will be discussing the new Retiree Attraction industry Oct. 20-22 at their annual conference in Columbia, SC. Texas’ state retiree attraction director. (www.retirementlivingnews). Sherri Gothart Barron will be in Columbia discussing that state’s success and what new retirees have meant economically to Texas communities.
“North Carolina has been a top 5 national retiree relocation market in the past, but there are indications that even our state may be losing out to more aggressive and focused states,” said Owens. “Budgets are tight, but luring retirees needs to be viewed like luring new manufacturing plants and new workers. You’ve got to cast the net to catch the fish,” he said.
Owens noted that billions in home sales this decade can be traced back to out of state retirees buying primary and second homes. The added benefit is that these transplants bring lots of income, spending power and taxes, but don't require school services, he said.
##### 30 #####
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Aging Pioneer Succumbs to Leukemia at 83
Dr. Robert Butler did groundbreaking work in longevity research. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to meet Dr. Butler, but know of his work. A fitting tribute to Dr. Butler was published in the New York Times recently:
http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/07/a-last-conversation-with-dr-robert-butler/
Dr. Butler did not go quietly into the good night...productive until the end. At our annual NARA retirement conference, we discuss the insights that researchers have found in longevity, aging, brain fitness, etc. All of these factors come into play in how to better serve active adults and retirees.
Certainly, we mourn the loss of a leading reseacher. We are reading his recently published book, the Longevity Revolution, now. Those interested in this sort of information are encouraged to attend the 11th Annual NARA Power Tools Business Conference in Columbia, SC on Oct. 20-22. Information: toll free 888.742.7362
### 30 ###
http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/07/a-last-conversation-with-dr-robert-butler/
Dr. Butler did not go quietly into the good night...productive until the end. At our annual NARA retirement conference, we discuss the insights that researchers have found in longevity, aging, brain fitness, etc. All of these factors come into play in how to better serve active adults and retirees.
Certainly, we mourn the loss of a leading reseacher. We are reading his recently published book, the Longevity Revolution, now. Those interested in this sort of information are encouraged to attend the 11th Annual NARA Power Tools Business Conference in Columbia, SC on Oct. 20-22. Information: toll free 888.742.7362
### 30 ###
Monday, August 23, 2010
Ringo still rocks at 70
Ringo still rocks at 70
KEVIN CULLEN Danville, ILL Commercial-News
Millions of us Baby Boomers felt a little older on July 7 when we read the story about Ringo Starr’s 70th birthday party at Radio City Music Hall in New York.
Everybody loves Ringo, the drummer for The Beatles. We have loved him since 1964, when the Fab Four took the States by storm. We watched them on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” we bought their 45s, we memorized their hits, we went to their movies. A generation of American girls cried and screamed through their concerts, bought Beatles dolls and fan magazines, and dreamed of dating Paul, George or Ringo (John was married). Every girl, including my older sister, had a favorite Beatle … and many went for Ringo.
There always has been something special about Ringo Starr. He was the oldest Beatle, and the last to join the group. He didn’t have a great voice, but he still supplied the vocals for several hits. He was content to stay in the background, pounding his Ludwig drum kit so hard that it jumped off the floor. Ringo provided the driving beat and sonic foundation that framed the Beatles music.
The gritty streets of Liverpool never left Ringo. As years went by, the other Beatles became pretentious, self-absorbed pseudo-intellectuals, but Ringo never did. In interviews, he came across as a regular guy who joined a little rock-’n-roll band and somehow found himself a multi-millionaire, with reporters hanging on his every word and girls chasing him.
Ringo was a beer, cigarettes and Buddy Holly kind of guy, never really comfortable with psychedelic drugs, Indian mysticism, lavish orchestral accompaniments and being seen as an heir to Beethoven.
I admire Ringo. At 70, he’s having the time of his life, beating the skins with his All-Starr band, performing his own hits, some Beatles stuff and lots of covers.
There was bad blood among the Beatles after their breakup, but that’s over. John and George Harrison are dead; only Ringo and Paul survive.
Paul showed up, unannounced, for the birthday bash. He and Ringo performed “Birthday,” a drum-heavy hit from The Beatles’ “White Album,” and nearly tore the roof off the place.
Paul hugged Ringo, and kissed his cheek. Everybody was screaming, crying, smiling.
Ringo’s grandchildren wheeled a cake onto the stage. It was made in the shape of a Ludwig drum set. Six thousand adoring fans sang “Happy Birthday.”
Ringo said in an interview that he wouldn’t want to be a Beatle again, because it was “too mad.”
“We’re blessed, we musicians, as far as I’m concerned,” he said. “As long as I can hold a stick, it can go on forever. It’s great. It’s something you don’t have to retire from.”
Who could ask for more? Rock on, Ringo.
KEVIN CULLEN Danville, ILL Commercial-News
Millions of us Baby Boomers felt a little older on July 7 when we read the story about Ringo Starr’s 70th birthday party at Radio City Music Hall in New York.
Everybody loves Ringo, the drummer for The Beatles. We have loved him since 1964, when the Fab Four took the States by storm. We watched them on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” we bought their 45s, we memorized their hits, we went to their movies. A generation of American girls cried and screamed through their concerts, bought Beatles dolls and fan magazines, and dreamed of dating Paul, George or Ringo (John was married). Every girl, including my older sister, had a favorite Beatle … and many went for Ringo.
There always has been something special about Ringo Starr. He was the oldest Beatle, and the last to join the group. He didn’t have a great voice, but he still supplied the vocals for several hits. He was content to stay in the background, pounding his Ludwig drum kit so hard that it jumped off the floor. Ringo provided the driving beat and sonic foundation that framed the Beatles music.
The gritty streets of Liverpool never left Ringo. As years went by, the other Beatles became pretentious, self-absorbed pseudo-intellectuals, but Ringo never did. In interviews, he came across as a regular guy who joined a little rock-’n-roll band and somehow found himself a multi-millionaire, with reporters hanging on his every word and girls chasing him.
Ringo was a beer, cigarettes and Buddy Holly kind of guy, never really comfortable with psychedelic drugs, Indian mysticism, lavish orchestral accompaniments and being seen as an heir to Beethoven.
I admire Ringo. At 70, he’s having the time of his life, beating the skins with his All-Starr band, performing his own hits, some Beatles stuff and lots of covers.
There was bad blood among the Beatles after their breakup, but that’s over. John and George Harrison are dead; only Ringo and Paul survive.
Paul showed up, unannounced, for the birthday bash. He and Ringo performed “Birthday,” a drum-heavy hit from The Beatles’ “White Album,” and nearly tore the roof off the place.
Paul hugged Ringo, and kissed his cheek. Everybody was screaming, crying, smiling.
Ringo’s grandchildren wheeled a cake onto the stage. It was made in the shape of a Ludwig drum set. Six thousand adoring fans sang “Happy Birthday.”
Ringo said in an interview that he wouldn’t want to be a Beatle again, because it was “too mad.”
“We’re blessed, we musicians, as far as I’m concerned,” he said. “As long as I can hold a stick, it can go on forever. It’s great. It’s something you don’t have to retire from.”
Who could ask for more? Rock on, Ringo.
Nielsen: Marketers not making most of Boomer demo
Nielsen: Marketers not making most of Boomer demo
George Clooney aside, Baby Boomers may not be as sexy as Gen-X or Millenials, but marketers still need them. Why? Because the Boomer generation is now the largest in the US, they hold a vast amount of wealth and they're buying products - from the latest tech gear to new wardrobes. Nielsen has released more metrics focused on Baby Boomers - and why marketers shouldn't ignore the demographic.
by Kristina Knight, BizReport.com
First, the definition of a Baby Boomer: born between 1946 and 1964. That is an 18-year span of people who have recently retired or who are pushing toward retirement now. Most own their homes, are affluent, they are adopting new technology and they're involved. With community, with family, with churches and associations.
And don't forget, they are purchasers. Nielsen points out that:
• Boomers spend 38% of the total consumer package goods dollars
• Still, CPG brands only allocate 5% of their budgets to boomer-targeted ads
• Boomers watch about 9 ½ hours of video daily
• Boomers are responsible for one-third of television viewers, online/social media users and Twitter users
"Boomers should be as desirable for marketers as Millennials and Gen-Xers for years to come; they are the largest single group of consumers, and a valuable target audience. As the US continues to age, reaching this group will continue to be critical for advertisers," said Pat McDonough, Senior Vice President of Insights, Analysis and Policy with the Nielsen Company.
They are also visiting roughly the same websites as their younger (18 - 49) counterparts, so it makes sense to create specifically targeted campaigns for a number of top sites. Boomers' top websites include Google, Yahoo, Bing, Facebook and Microsoft. For the 18-49 year olds, websites are ranked Google, Yahoo, Facebook, Bing, YouTube.
George Clooney aside, Baby Boomers may not be as sexy as Gen-X or Millenials, but marketers still need them. Why? Because the Boomer generation is now the largest in the US, they hold a vast amount of wealth and they're buying products - from the latest tech gear to new wardrobes. Nielsen has released more metrics focused on Baby Boomers - and why marketers shouldn't ignore the demographic.
by Kristina Knight, BizReport.com
First, the definition of a Baby Boomer: born between 1946 and 1964. That is an 18-year span of people who have recently retired or who are pushing toward retirement now. Most own their homes, are affluent, they are adopting new technology and they're involved. With community, with family, with churches and associations.
And don't forget, they are purchasers. Nielsen points out that:
• Boomers spend 38% of the total consumer package goods dollars
• Still, CPG brands only allocate 5% of their budgets to boomer-targeted ads
• Boomers watch about 9 ½ hours of video daily
• Boomers are responsible for one-third of television viewers, online/social media users and Twitter users
"Boomers should be as desirable for marketers as Millennials and Gen-Xers for years to come; they are the largest single group of consumers, and a valuable target audience. As the US continues to age, reaching this group will continue to be critical for advertisers," said Pat McDonough, Senior Vice President of Insights, Analysis and Policy with the Nielsen Company.
They are also visiting roughly the same websites as their younger (18 - 49) counterparts, so it makes sense to create specifically targeted campaigns for a number of top sites. Boomers' top websites include Google, Yahoo, Bing, Facebook and Microsoft. For the 18-49 year olds, websites are ranked Google, Yahoo, Facebook, Bing, YouTube.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
