Courtesy St. Martin's Press

50+: Igniting a Revolution to Reinvent America By Bill Novelli with Boe Workman, September & October 2006 AARP CEO Bill Novelli challenges the largest retirement-age generation in U.S. history to come together and grasp the unique opportunity that faces them to transform society, dramatically and for the better All proceeds go to the AARP Foundation

For the first time in history, long life is not a rarity, which is great news for America's 78 million boomers, the oldest of whom turn 60 this year. While many view these changing demographics as a problem, AARP CEO Bill Novelli views them as an historic opportunity for our nation, believing that we can afford to grow older as a society, and that we will be better for it.

This is a book about opportunities. Novelli envisions the improvements that this group can bring to the quality of their own lives, those of their families, and the nation by seizing the opportunities that spring from their increased longevity and the aging of the boomers. These opportunities are:

• To transform health care by taking better care of themselves and their families and to improve health care for everyone
• To reinvent retirement by making Social Security solvent and create real retirement income security
• To revolutionize the workplace so people who want or need to continue working can do so in a way that benefits both employees and employers
• To build livable communities by improving housing and transportation so people can live independently longer
• To change the marketplace so people will have innovative products and services that add value to their lives
• To engage people in working for causes that will improve the lives of others, their communities, and the country
• To leave a lasting legacy by leaving the world a better place than they found it and giving back more than they take, especially helping those less fortunate than themselves

Novelli predicts that if we come together in the spirit of serving others and discover the possibilities that lie within all of us, we can create a new reality and make America better not just for ourselves, but for all generations to come.

He also believes that we are at a unique moment in time when the need for change coincides with the boomers' power to create change, giving them a unique opportunity to transform society, dramatically and for the better.

Novelli's hope is that this book will help people discover their own opportunities to make their own lives better, to make America better, and to make the world better.

All proceeds go to the AARP Foundation.