Final answer:
The oldest baby boomers turned age 65 in 2011. This marks a significant demographic shift as a large portion of the population enters old age, affecting various sectors such as healthcare and social services.
Step-by-step explanation:
The oldest baby boomers turned age 65 in the year 2011. The baby boomer generation refers to the cohort born between 1946 and 1964 following World War II. If we take the earliest birth year of the baby boomers, 1946, and add 65 years, the year in which the first baby boomers reached the retirement age of 65 is 2011.
This is a significant year for gerontologists and those studying population demographics, as it marks the beginning of a period where a large portion of the population enters the age considered 'elderly' by U.S. Census standards.
By 2030, it is projected that all baby boomers will be aged 65 and older, thus making up a substantial portion of the elderly population. This shift has implications for healthcare, social services, and economic support systems designed to assist the aging population.