» REITs hailed as investment heroes
Real estate investment trusts with portfolios heavy in senior living and care assets are being called the “unsung heroes” among investors by the author of one online post.
As the baby boom generation continues to age, “the proportion of older adults in the US population is projected to increase, leading to a higher number of seniors in need of healthcare services, assisted living and retirement communities, and other age-related solutions,” wrote Kate Stalter, a Series 65-licensed asset manager, in a late September “MarketBeat” article. That, combined with their income potential, means such REITs could be lucrative investments for the long haul, she said.
The article described Irvine, CA-based Sabra Health Care REIT; Hunt Valley, MD-based Omega Healthcare Investors; and Westlake Village, CA-based LTC Properties as high-yield investments, with yields of 8.74%, 8.14% and 7.42%, respectively.
“REITs have built-in tax benefits, as they are required to distribute at least 90% of their taxable income to shareholders,” Stalter added. “That means REIT investors receive a consistent stream of dividends derived from rental income or property sales.”
» Aging boomers pressure key systems
The US population is rapidly aging, presenting profound implications for economic development, national security, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, a recent Census report found.
According to the US Census Bureau, the median age in the United States hit a record 38.9 in 2022. That number is going up rapidly. In 2000, the median age was 35; in 1980, it was 30.
» Think tank argues case for AI for seniors
In a new Brookings Institution study, researchers said that addressing the older adult population’s financial challenges requires exploring innovative strategies and tapping technology to fundamentally transform healthcare delivery. One crucial application of artificial intelligence, the study noted, is its ability help manage the overall well-being of older adults. For example, AI can assist with routine financial tasks such as automatic bill payments, expense management and personalized recommendations, which might greatly benefit older adults.
