First Boomer, First Check

The first Baby Boomer will collect her—and her generation's—first Social Security check next month, and she can expect a lot of attention, reports AARP The Magazine. Kathleen Casey-Kirschling was born at 12:00:01 on January 1, 1946, and her big move spotlights the way her generation will both redefine retirement and squeeze Social Security to the limit.

In retirement, Casey-Kirschling plans to do volunteer work; she hopes her cohorts will do likewise. "The boomers did a lot of good, but we also did our fair share of harm,” she says. “Whether it’s obesity or the environment, it’s time for us to do our part .” She'll also be doing some traveling on the boat she and her husband own. Its name? First Boomer. (More baby boomer stories.)