The next few decades will see an explosion in the percentage of Americans over the age of 65, but the economic and social impact of this Baby Boomer sunset may be gentler than had been feared because of a significant drop in the percentage of older people with disabilities, a new federal study has concluded.

In July 2003, there were 35.9 million Americans over 65, about 12 percent of the population. By 2030, federal officials predict, there will be 72 million, about 20 percent of Americans.

They will be a substantially different class of people than previous generations. In 1959, 35 percent of people over 65 lived in poverty. By 2003, that figure had dropped to 10 percent. The proportion of older Americans with a high school diploma rose to 71.5 percent in 2003 from 17 percent in 1950.

According to the report, nearly half of American men 65 and older were still working 50 years ago while today only about one in five men in that age group is still working. Some of the reasons cited: the growth in private pensions, Social Security and Medicare benefits.