And now, more unexpected fallout from the recession: senior citizen entrepreneurs.

If you're not already seeing a demographic shift in the makeup of your small business clients, you probably will soon. A recent study by the Kauffman Foundation, a private organization which tracks entrepreneurism, indicates that to 24-to-34 age bracket of entrepreneurs behind start-up companies, which ruled during the dot.com boom, now has the lowest rate, surpassed by entrepreneurs age 55 to 64, whose start-ups increased 36 percent in 2008. In total, more than 80 percent of all startups were by people over 40 years of age.

This shouldn't come as a surprise: older workers have been disproportionately affected by the brutal layoffs of recent years, and many close to retirement age have had their portfolios decimated by hard times — their age precludes them from getting another traditional job, and they and can't afford to retire (just think of all those “consultants” out there).

But societal shifts could also be responsible: today's middle-aged and older population is healthier and more active, and many are intent on “living the dream” with second or third careers instead of slowly driving Cadillacs in Boca. Many have worked their entire careers making money for someone else, and want to work for themselves for a change while they're still able to.

The lesson for insurance agents and brokers is that this is just another page in an unfolding saga of how the American workplace is changing. Everyone in our industry is aware of the importance of understanding the Gen Y customer and employee; now it turns out that Gen Y is only part of the equation.

In my recent blog about the multigenerational household, we discussed how the new economic realities are bringing back the days when Mom, Dad and the kids live under the same roof as Grandpa, Grandma, and other members of an extended family. The new configuration creates new risks for the family unit, and new opportunities for agents and brokers who serve them.

Similarly, start-up businesses headed by older entrepreneurs face a unique set of challenges, especially at a time when business loans are hard to come by and employee benefits are in a state of flux.

Are you prepared to serve these new businesses — or even start one yourself instead of retiring?

Special Reports /

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