Why Older Americans Don't Work Longer

• Cultural Expectation to Retire in Mid-60s

  • Social Security early retirement age is 62
  • Many private pensions have similar or lower eligibility ages

• Older Americans Perceive Few Opportunities

  • Few older workers felt they had opportunities for partial retirement
  • Most older workers and retirees saw low wage, low skilled jobs as their primary employment opportunities

• Most Employers Do Not Make a Special Effort to Hire and Retain Older Workers

  • Many employers say they are willing to implement policies to recruit and retain older workers, but few have actually done so
  • Employers cite barriers, such as federal pension regulations, to flexible employment options for older workers