• The Matures - The generations that came on the scene between 1909 and 1945.
• Baby Boomers - The enormous surge of people born during the period of unparalleled economic prosperity between 1946 and 1964.
• Generation X - The 40 million or so people born in the Boomers' shadow — between 1965 and 1976.
• Generation Y - The second-largest crop of young people in America's history, offspring of the youngest Boomers — 76 million of them, nearly 26 percent of the population.

Familiar, too, are the generational "markers" that have made up each group's formative experiences, creating what sociologists call their "peer personality" — shaping the way they think about personal financial security planning. In other words, by understanding what makes them tick, you can build personal connections with your clients and prospects. Here are the basics.