[xzins]

If we divide the population into 10 age groupings, 0-10, 10-20, 20-30, 30-40, 40-50, 50-60, 60-70, 70-80, and 80-90, 90-100, we’ve got four of them not eligible to be working, and 6 of them that are. (I know this isn’t exact.)

If we place a 10th of the population in each group, then we have 120 million not eligible to be working....actually far fewer because they’re much smaller groups than a 10th of the population.

Let’s say there are 90 million out of 300 million that we shouldn’t expect to be working due to age and other things. That leaves 210 million that are eligible to be working.

This says about half of America eligible to be working isn’t working.

That says that the other half is carrying 2/3rds of the nation on their backs.

[nascarnation]

I think your estimated numbers are reasonable.
The party can continue as long as the fedgov can get away with having a yearly budget with 40% fake money.

But eventually the markets are going to puke on it.
That’s when it gets ugly.

[Brown Deer]

(I know this isn’t exact.)

It's not even close, since less than 11 million people or only 3.5% are over age 80. You estimated 20% or almost 6 times as many.

2012 population: 308.8 million
Under 18 years: 74.1 million (24%)
18-64 years: 193.2 million (62.6%)
65 years and over: 41.5 million (13.4%)

The US population is now up to 317.9 million.
The BLS includes 16 & 17 year olds in it's employment numbers. The current report states 247.4 million are age 16 and over.

In labor force: 154.8 million
--- Employed: 145.8 million (less than 46% of total population)
--- Unemployed: 9.1 million
Not in labor force: 92.6 million