The New Coffee Room

Wealth accumulates for the 70+ crowd faster than the population growth for the 70+ crowd.
While this does not necessarily suggest "inequity," it does indicate "increased concentration" of wealth for the 70+ crowd.

Wealth in pension funds vs. wealth in 401(k)? That comes down to control. The wealth in pension funds meant to benefit the 70+crowd is not controlled by the 70+ crowd. The wealth in 401(k) accounts of the 70+ crowd is controlled by the 70+ crowd. Is one "better" than the other? That's a whole other discussion.

Google says:

In the USA, the percentage of the population aged 70 and older was approximately 9.1% in 1989 and is projected to be around 11.33% in 2025. The share of the older population has increased over this period due to increased life expectancy and the aging of the baby boomer generation.

Percentage of Population in 1989
Based on population data, the approximate percentages for age groups 70 and older in 1989 were:

• 70-74 years: 3.5%
• 75-79 years: 2.8%
• 80-84 years: 2.2%
• 85+ years: approximately 0.6% to 0.9% (extrapolated from data) [4]

The total percentage of the population aged 70 and older in 1989 was approximately $3.5% + 2.8% + 2.2% + 0.6% = 9.1%.

Percentage of Population in 2025
For 2025, projected data provides a more precise breakdown:

• 70-74 years: 4.5%
• 75-79 years: 3%
• 80-84 years: 1.91%
• 85+ years: 1.92% [7]

The total percentage of the population aged 70 and older in 2025 is approximately $4.5% + 3% + 1.91% + 1.92% = 11.33%.

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2025/11/06/how-americans-are-thinking-about-aging/
[2] https://www.statista.com/statistics/457822/share-of-old-age-population-in-the-total-us-population/
[3] https://www.facebook.com/OfficialPeterMallouk/photos/a-record-32-of-household-wealth-is-now-held-by-americans-that-are-70-years-of-ag/1378770223686396/
[4] https://www.populationpyramid.net/united-states-of-america/1989/
[5] https://www.ssa.gov/oact/NOTES/AS112/as112.html
[6] https://www.cato.org/blog/native-born-americans-are-not-losing-jobs-foreigners
[7] https://www.neilsberg.com/insights/united-states-population-by-age/

The alternative:

Merry Christmas!

My own Christmas decoration looks almost identical to last year's, so no point posting pictures of my Christmas decorations again this year.

But take a look at these quirkily New England lobster trap Christmas trees:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/22/travel/lobster-trap-christmas-trees.html?unlocked_article_code=1._U8.xSj-.xR7V3kqM7xYy

(Click inside to see the pictures, it's a gift link.)

@LuFins-Dad said in Hay LD:

This year will be a bit more of a pain in the ass. Karla is not turning down work, but she’s not hiring on enough workers as she’ls too scared of not having enough work for them next month… So when all the requests come in, she takes them herself including overnights. She’s been in the house 2 hours the past 3 days. To make matters worse, she had another overnight request come in for 23-27 so Lucas is taking that one. Tonight, it’s me and Finley from 9 till tomorrow at 7. I can tell you that I am pretty pissed…

More than being spatially together, you all work hard for the good of the family; that spiritual unity is (at least in my mind) more valuable and more enduring. Merry Christmas!

@jon-nyc said in Interesting re MAGA for the post Trump era:

As hard as it is, listen to him to the end where he says this is a message for Vance in 28.

@mik whats your take on the “Ohio politics” aspect of this?

May he live with minimal pain and, when the time comes, go in peace.

Old thread on World Excel Championship

https://nodebb.the-new-coffee-room.club/topic/31907/world-excel-championship-the-financial-modeling-world-cup?_=1766493458211

For all you luddites, from Apple Computer, Inc., 1987:

NATIONAL SECURITY!!!

https://www.rechargenews.com/policy/trump-halts-leases-for-all-us-offshore-wind-projects-under-construction/2-1-1920704

Trump has suspended all leases with offshore wind projects in construction due to ‘national security’ concerns, the administration announced today, effectively killing all sector activity.

@Doctor-Phibes said in I love AI:

I appear to be only one who wants nothing to do with this stuff.

You will be replaced either by this stuff or by someone who does a lot of things with this stuff. But it's OK, you're nearing retirement and you said you will get a pension. All good for you!

Many actions taken by, and many aspects of, the Trump's presidency have been said to be "unprecedented," sometimes by Trump's critics and political opponents, sometimes by Trump and/or his political allies and supporters. The NY Times has thoughtfully put together a list of these things and sought historians to rate how "unprecedented" they are, from "no clear precedent" to "happens before under different circumstances" to "not uncommon":

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/12/22/upshot/trump-presidential-history-survey.html?unlocked_article_code=1.-k8.pg6j.ruBbfBX7gild

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/21/us/politics/theater-kid-insult-politics.html

The article gives examples of politicians (usually Democrats) being called 'Theater Kids' in derogatory manners (usually by the Republicans or GOP-leading commentators) and asks "What did theater kids do to deserve such scorn?"

https://www.foodandwine.com/self-checkout-theft-rates-increase-lendingtree-report-2025-11869915

https://www.lendingtree.com/debt-consolidation/checkout-theft-survey/

Twenty-seven percent of users now admit to purposefully not scanning items, up from 15% just two years ago, according to a new survey from LendingTree released as the holiday shopping season peaks. The jump comes as grocery costs continue to climb and economic pressure on lower-income households grows.

Among those who admitted to stealing, 47% cited "unaffordable essentials" as their primary reason, while 39% said prices felt "unfair or too high." ...

I am surprised that theft at the self-checkout lines is now so pervasive.

Looks good!
Though also expected of breakfast buffets at "higher end" hotels.
Bon appetit, and safe travels.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/21/us/southern-baptists-immigration-trump.html

“I would not knowingly extend communion to an illegal immigrant who is visiting our church,” [a Southern Baptist pastor] said. “That person would be in sin by being in this country illegally, and Christians should obey the law of the land.”

Something I have thought of before but haven't settled on an answer:

Is illegal entry or unauthorized presence in a country (by secular legal standards) considered a "sin" in the Christian sense?

On a spectrum of "illegal entry" and "unauthorized presence," which of the following are considered "sins" in the Christian sense?

1. "Breaking and entering" a private residence or business establishment
2. "Squatting" -- unauthorized prolonged presence in a sheltered space without paying rent (or, for that matter, while owing lots of back rent and the rightful property owner has asked you to leave)
3. "Trespassing" -- say, you walk into an open space that is behind a "no trespassing" sign, you see the sign, but there was also no one else there to stop you
4. "Illegal immigration" in the sense of, say, someone slipping into a country (that normally requires a visa) without getting a visa
5. "Unauthorized presence" in the sense of, say, overstaying a visa

Any of the above strikes you as a "sin" in the Christian sense? Why or why not?

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/13/world/asia/korea-english-exam-how-would-you-do.html?unlocked_article_code=1.-U8.3cVm.4oK3UrON-qbM

The sample questions are from South Korea's college entrance exam for English. The article says the exam was so hard that it prompted a public outcry and the resignation of the head of the organization that gives these exams.

@LuFins-Dad said in Any Dark Beer Fans on here?:

I don’t know how to feel about Ax liking the same beers that I do… This may make me have to reconsider many things…

I hope it’s not too late to tell you that I also like pianos; Yamaha pianos are among my favorites. Hopefully you still have time to reconsider your career.

I appreciate the athleticism it tries to imitate.