Our society's bias toward attractiveness is exacerbated by its cult of youth. In an (admittedly self-serving) survey conducted last year by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (aafprs), one in four employees expressed concern that their boss viewed them as less capable than younger employees. Boomers in particular are finding it painful as they crash into "the silver ceiling."

Warning: If life expectancy continues to elevate, without ongoing adjustments in the age of eligibility for "old age" entitlements, every intergenerational financing program, including Social Security and Medicare, could ultimately collapse. . .Possible Solutions: 1. Unhinge old age from the anachronistic marker of 65, and "index" entitlements to rising longevity. 2. Encourage and empower people to retire when they are ready and when they can afford to, instead of holding everyone to uniform standards. 3. Remove all economic disincentives for older adults who wish to keep working. 4. Smash the "silver ceiling" of age discrimination and make it easier for people to pursue meaningful employment in maturity.

What's in, what's out with the 50-plus market
Arrivals…………………….Departures
Fortified foods………………White bread
Red wine…………………….Soda
Adventure travel……………..Bus tours
E-mail…………………….."Why don't the kids ever write?"
Long-term care insurance………Moving in with the kids
E-commerce…………………..Malls
4-door sedans………………..SUVs
Customized vitamin supplements…One tablet multi-vitamin
Personal fitness trainers……..Exercise videos
Working as long as you want……"The silver ceiling"
Aging……………………….Immaturity
Source: Age Wave, LLC