Boomers are likely to work far beyond the typical retirement age of 65, driven partly by the impending skills shortage and also because of lifestyle considerations and greater life expectancy.

Boomers and Geny not only tend to live under the same roof , comfortable with one another's social mores but also the household is becoming more of a business and entertainment centre.

In 1981 42.5% fo men aged 20-24 and 13.1% of those aged 25-29 lived at home. This rose to 44.1% and 20% respectively twenty years later. For women the figures were 25.6% of those aged 20-24 and 5.7% aged 25-29 lived at home in 1981. By 2001 the figures had risen to 34.2% and 11.7% respectively.

These rises are due to more young people going on to tertiary education, delays in marriage, delays in entering the full-time workforce and increases in housing costs.

There is far less conflict betweent eh boomers and Gen Ythan between boomers and their parents. Boomers are more tolerant of Y's behaviour and Y's seek and value their parents' opinions on relationships, work and other issues.

From BRW Dec 8-14, pgs 55-57