NewsBite

Opinion

Criticism of ‘stingy’ Baby Boomers misses the point

Readers’ letters on generational attacks; the “war” between banks and mortgage brokers; robots and the Great Barrier Reef; Grant Hackett’s leadership; and Pauline Hanson’s silence.

Subscribe to gift this article

Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.

Subscribe now

Already a subscriber?

Key Points

  • We are always interested to hear your views on current topics.
  • Guidelines for how to write a letter to the editor are here.
  • Please send your letter to edletters@afr.com.au

The article about Baby Boomers not spending their money (“Baby Boomers are loaded. Why are they so stingy?”) largely misses the point. Not content just to trot out the usual facts designed to instil guilt in this cohort – most have not fought wars, have grown up in prosperous times, enjoyed free education blah blah – the author preposterously wants to burden Boomers with a duty to spend big to save the global economy.

Standard economic models apparently require that oldies spend more than they earn by selling capital and reducing savings. And unless Boomers embrace decumulating their wealth with vigour, the housing shortage will continue and interest rates will remain higher.

Loading...

Subscribe to gift this article

Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.

Subscribe now

Already a subscriber?

Read More

Latest In Economy

Fetching latest articles

Most Viewed In Policy

    Original URL: https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/criticism-of-stingy-baby-boomers-misses-the-point-20240602-p5jil4