AP Spotlight Oldest baby boomers now drive the graying of America MIKE SCHNEIDER Associated Press Jan 11, 2026 Jan 11, 2026 Updated Mar 19, 2026 0 1 of 2 Diane West sits with her grandson Paul Quirk during an interview Dec. 2 in Marietta, Ga. Mike Stewart, Associated Press Paul Quirk, 21, lives with his grandmother Diane West in Marietta, Ga. Mike Stewart, Associated Press Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save MIKE SCHNEIDER Associated Press The oldest baby boomers — once the vanguard of an American youth that revolutionized U.S. culture and politics — turn 80 in 2026.kAm%96 86?6C2E:@? E92E EH:C=65 E96 7:CDE A=2DE:4 9F=2 9@@AD 2?5 5C6DD65 FA E96 7:CDE q2C3:6 5@==D[ 6>3C2465 E96 %' 286[ 3=:DD65 @FE 2E (@@5DE@4< 2?5 AC@E6DE65 2?5 7@F89E :? 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H:== 92G6 2 36EE6C 492?46 @7 DF44665:?8]Qk^Am 0 Comments Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story Fewer Americans sign up for Affordable Care Act health insurance as costs spike Experts warn that the number of people who have signed up for plans may still drop even further, as enrollees get their first bill in January … The first baby boomers are turning 80 The oldest baby boomers are set to turn 80 in 2026. This generation, known for cultural and political changes, is now contributing to America'… 17 baby boomer phrases that kids these days just don't understand According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are some 76 million boomers, which means there are a lot of people going around having a gas and ge… Most popular baby names for baby boomers To determine the most popular names of the baby boomer generation, Stacker compiled data from the Social Security Administration’s Baby Names … Watch Now: Related Video Stars Who Are Open About Their Mental Health Struggles US Gas Prices Exceed 2022 High As Iran War Continues US Gas Prices Exceed 2022 High As Iran War Continues Rising gas prices squeeze gig workers, small business owners Rising gas prices squeeze gig workers, small business owners Paintings by Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse stolen from Italian museum Paintings by Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse stolen from Italian museum
Fewer Americans sign up for Affordable Care Act health insurance as costs spike Experts warn that the number of people who have signed up for plans may still drop even further, as enrollees get their first bill in January …
The first baby boomers are turning 80 The oldest baby boomers are set to turn 80 in 2026. This generation, known for cultural and political changes, is now contributing to America'…
17 baby boomer phrases that kids these days just don't understand According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are some 76 million boomers, which means there are a lot of people going around having a gas and ge…
Most popular baby names for baby boomers To determine the most popular names of the baby boomer generation, Stacker compiled data from the Social Security Administration’s Baby Names …