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By Suzanne Blake
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While baby boomers may be stereotyped as one of the most hardworking generations, a new study revealed the cohort may also be itching for a vacation.
A new survey showed that 48 percent of those age 65 and up said a monthlong unpaid vacation to Europe would make them work harder at their jobs.
Why It Matters
Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, are reaching retirement age, but many are still working full or part-time jobs to make ends meet. While many companies used to provide workers with pensions through retirement, many boomers today rely entirely on Social Security payments.
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A 2024 Allianz Life study indicated that 63 percent of workers said they would likely continue working at least part-time during their retirement to supplement their incomes, and 15 percent said they couldn't see themselves ever fully retiring.
What To Know
While 48 percent of those aged 65 and up said they would work harder if given an unpaid monthlong trip to Europe, 49 percent in the 55 to 64 range said the same, according to the study commissioned by Bospar.
That was compared to just 41 percent of those aged 25 to 34, 36 percent between the ages of 35 and 44, and 37 percent among the 45 to 54 age range.
Across all age groups, 41 percent said the vacation would make them work harder.
The younger generations were far more likely to prioritize flexibility, with 38 percent of those aged 25 to 34 saying unlimited creative freedom would make them work harder at their job compared to just 35 percent of those aged 65 and up.
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What People Are Saying
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "One of the most fascinating parts to our current economy is just how many baby boomers are foregoing retirement 'on schedule' to continue working, either out of necessity or because they want to. This could actually make up a sizable demographic, and while obviously, they're staying in the workforce to do their jobs, it's also reasonable to expect they have the same travel expectations as prior generations of retirees.
"I think we're going to see more baby boomers in the workforce wanting extended leave as a benefit the longer they stay, basically saying, 'We want to continue to work, but we also want to enjoy the fruits of our labor.'"
HR consultant Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek: "The irony here is just how loudly boomers have preached the importance of hard work, yet when the same perks millennials and Gen Z have been demanding for years are suddenly dangled in front of them, they're all for it. The truth is, boomers aren't fundamentally all that different from younger generations. They want flexibility and balance just like everyone else, but they've been indoctrinated into the hustle culture myth for so long they think it's the only path to success."
Jennifer Lee Magas, a communications professor at Nova Southeastern, told Newsweek: "For boomers, time off is still viewed as a privilege, not a given. Offer them something extraordinary, and you'll see extraordinary effort."
"It's not laziness we're seeing across generations; it's different definitions of motivation. One big misconception? That boomers don't want change or creativity. Truth is, many just didn't feel allowed to pursue it earlier. Give them the freedom now, and you might just get your most loyal employee yet."
What Happens Next
Driscoll said that even as they approach retirement, the same boomers who shame younger generations for not working hard enough want the same perks that millennials and Gen Z have pushed for.
"It's not that younger generations don't want to work; they just have higher expectations of how work should fit into a balanced life," Driscoll said. "What's most frustrating is how often these conversations get framed around laziness or entitlement. It's not about refusing to work hard; it's about demanding a workplace that actually respects our time and well-being."
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