Older people are going back to work after retirement more than ever – or just not retiring when they planned.
Many return to work for social connection realizing they miss interacting with co-workers during the day. Other reasons are financial. In this economy, where the cost of living is up roughly 20% over the last four years, many are seeing that their pension and social security don’t go as far as they thought. To put it simply, they need the money.
The rub for many is that going back to work as an older person is more difficult. Despite years of experience and demonstrated work ethic, there oftentimes is a subtle, or sometimes not so subtle, discrimination against hiring older workers.
The New York State's Department of Labor and Office for the Aging hopes to help make it easier for older workers to find a job that suits them by launching an online guide that also has job listings. Visit the guide at dol.ny.gov/older-adult-workers.
Stony Brook University took a look at aging Long Island and noted that “In 2020, the last wave of Baby Boomers turned 55 years old. By 2035, those aged 65 and over are expected to make up more than 20 percent of the Long Island population.” This group of people are living longer and healthier lives into old age than any generation before them and they often want something to do with their days or they need additional financial resources to have the life they want to have in their senior years.
As of 2023, Suffolk County had roughly 18.5% of its population 65 years old or older. Between 2011 and 2021 the over 65 age group grew from 207,128 to 269,205.
Among six age groups, the 65+ group was the fastest growing between the census in 2010 and 2022 with its population increasing by 36.8%. The 35 to 49 age group, a prime working age group, declined the most dropping 19.2% between 2010 and 2022.
"For older workers that either want to start an encore career, are interested in going back to work, whether it be for extra income, or social connections or for those older adults who simply have to go back for economic reasons," said Greg Olsen, director, New York State Office for the Aging.
A recent statewide community assessment survey of about 27,000 older adults, part of the state's Master Plan for Aging, showed not only are many still working well into their 70s, but 24% of older adults rated employment as an area of concern."New York State is leading the way in building a more inclusive and supportive workforce,” state Labor Department Commissioner Roberta Reardon said in a statement. “Older workers bring decades of experience, diverse perspectives, and a strong work ethic to the table, and it's crucial that we eliminate the barriers preventing them from staying active in their careers.”
South Shore Press reached out to the Suffolk County Office on Aging on multiple occasions for comment on how they are implementing the state’s efforts to help older Suffolk County workers and did not receive a response.