Description: This timely book is an historical exploration of the U.S. pensioner movements of the late 1920s through to the early 1950s, and the insights they offer present-day policy analysts and researchers on how the forthcoming retirement of the Baby-Boom generation could proceed. Drawing on several noteworthy examples from the period, including the Ham & Eggs movement and the Townsend Plan, the author shows how effectively a "politics of the elderly" can develop and function.

California, which was the leading retirement state for most of the first half of this century (much as Florida is today), is the geographic backdrop for this informative and well-researched look at how retirees have long been politically active, willing to flex their electoral muscle to get what they feel they deserve. Given the demographic importance of the baby-boomers, the historical evidence provided in this book should give all readers a glimpse at how involved this generation is likely to be in crucial matters such as Social Security, Medicare, and income tax reform.