VOA标准英语2011--Future US Senior Citizens Face Big Chang

Future US Senior Citizens Face Big Changes

Analysts¹ at the U.S. Census² Bureau have a provocative³ forecast for America's population in 2050, when today's 25-olds will be knocking on the door of age 65.
If projections⁴ hold, not only will there be more than TWICE as many people 65-and-over in sheer numbers as there are now, but their percentage of the population will jump from 12 percent today to 21 percent. That means more than one in five Americans at mid-century will be what we call "senior citizens." And if current demographic trends continue, a much greater proportion of the nation's elderly will be Hispanic, African-American and Asian-American.
Take a look at the typical American worker, circa 2050.
Linda Jacobsen at the Population Reference Bureau, a private outfit⁵ that helps make sense of demographic data, helped us sort out the implications:
Primarily, she says, in 2050 a whole lot more people 65 and older will be on the job outside the home. In part, that's because many more than today will be well educated and in rosy⁶ health, and will simply WANT to keep working.
Others won't have a choice, since they won't be able to get Social Security benefits as the eligibility⁷ age keeps rising - quite possibly to 70 or beyond by 2050. And as private companies cut costs, generous pension and company-paid retirement⁸ accounts will be harder to find as well.
Today, women more often than men are the ones who stay home to care for Mom and Dad in their last years - while men contribute money to their elders' care. But in 2050, women will be less available as caregivers, because more of them will also be busy at a workplace somewhere.
So, Linda Jacobsen points out, young Americans had better be saving money right now in the increasing likelihood they'll have to care for themselves in their advanced years. But, they can expect plenty more nursing homes and assisted-living centers to choose from.
In 2050, Americans who are 65 may be considered "middle-aged⁹." By then, only what demographers¹⁰ today call the "oldest old" - the 85-and-over crowd - will be thought of as truly "old."

1 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

2 census   

n.(官方的)人口调查，人口普查

参考例句：

• A census of population is taken every ten years.人口普查每10年进行一次。
• The census is taken one time every four years in our country.我国每四年一次人口普查。

3 provocative   

adj.挑衅的，煽动的，刺激的，挑逗的

参考例句：

• She wore a very provocative dress.她穿了一件非常性感的裙子。
• His provocative words only fueled the argument further.他的挑衅性讲话只能使争论进一步激化。

4 projections   

预测( projection的名词复数 )； 投影； 投掷； 突起物

参考例句：

• Their sales projections are a total thumbsuck. 他们的销售量预测纯属估计。
• The council has revised its projections of funding requirements upwards. 地方议会调高了对资金需求的预测。

5 outfit   

n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装

参考例句：

• Jenney bought a new outfit for her daughter's wedding.珍妮为参加女儿的婚礼买了一套新装。
• His father bought a ski outfit for him on his birthday.他父亲在他生日那天给他买了一套滑雪用具。

6 rosy   

adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的

参考例句：

• She got a new job and her life looks rosy.她找到一份新工作，生活看上去很美好。
• She always takes a rosy view of life.她总是对生活持乐观态度。

7 eligibility   

n.合格，资格

参考例句：

• What are the eligibility requirements? 病人被选参加试验的要求是什么？ 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 回顾与展望
• Eligibility for HINARI access is based on gross national income (GNI). 进入HINARI获取计划是依据国民总收入来评定的。

8 retirement   

n.退休，退职

参考例句：

• She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
• I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。

9 middle-aged   

adj.中年的

参考例句：

• I noticed two middle-aged passengers.我注意到两个中年乘客。
• The new skin balm was welcome by middle-aged women.这种新护肤香膏受到了中年妇女的欢迎。

10 demographers   

n.人口统计学( demography的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Demographers, however, point out that the'single" trend will have a profound effect on American institutions. 不过，人口学家们指出，“单身”趋势将对美国的公共机构产生深远的影响。 来自时文部分
• Selectivity of human migration long been the focus of demographers and economists. 人口迁移的选择性一直以来都是人口学家和经济学家关注的焦点。 来自互联网