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What Older Workers Want From Work

Fifty percent of people age 45 or older are working now. They have strong reasons for wanting to keep working. They also have many ideas about how long they want to work and what kind of work they want to do.

And employers are starting to pay attention. Changes in the American workforce will make older workers more needed and more valued.

Why There Will Be More Jobs than Workers

During the coming decades, the number of workers age 55 and over will increase, to almost 20% of all workers. In fact, the number of workers age 55 to 64 will grow the most of any labor force group in the U.S. This will mostly be due to the large numbers of baby boomers.

At the same time, the generations coming after the boomers are much smaller in number. This means fewer workers to replace boomers who retire or change jobs. And that, in turn, will bring a future of more jobs than workers.

Within this changing workforce, older workers will play an important role. Many older workers plan to work beyond traditional retirement age.

Some will continue within their current jobs. Many others will try new jobs and learn new skills. Also, they hope to have jobs with greater balance between work and non-work time.

Workers Tell AARP What They Want From Work

Recent surveys by AARP show that most older workers have strong ideas about their place in the future workforce. As the changes in the workforce become more apparent, employers, too, are beginning to use such surveys to retain, retrain, and respond to older worker needs and interests.

In two recent national surveys, AARP asked workers age 45-70 what they wanted from work. Some of the people surveyed were "pre-retirees" - they were considering retiring in five to ten years. Others were "working retirees" - they had retired from full-time work but were working part-time.

Here's what these workers told AARP:

"I want to continue working."

• Nearly 70% of pre-retirees plan to work at least part-time in the so-called retirement years, or never retire.
• Almost half foresee working into their 70s or beyond.
• Needing money is the top reason for pre- and working retirees to work in retirement.
• More than two-thirds also want to work to stay active, be useful, and have fun.

"I want more flexibility and autonomy than I've had in earlier work - like part-time work and more adjustable schedules."

More than half of pre- and working retirees say it's very important to work where:

• employee opinions are valued,
• they can work as long as they want to,
• they can take off time to care for relatives, and
• they can set their own hours.

"I want to continue balancing home and work as a goal."

• 70% are looking for ways to better balance work and personal life.
• Major life and family changes occurred for 20-30% in the last 5 years.
• More than one-third give care to a spouse, parent, grandchild, or others.
• African American, Asian American, and Hispanic workers are responsible for more caregiving and have had more life and family changes than others.

"I find work fulfilling."

• 86% say that staying in the workforce keeps them healthy and active.
• Nearly 60% feel that their jobs contribute to society or help people.
• Less than one-third say they look forward to full retirement a great deal.

"I know what my ideal job would include."

• About 90% want a worker-friendly environment.
• 80% want opportunities to learn something new.
• 75% want to pursue something they've always wanted to do.
• 16% of pre-retirees who plan to work in retirement plan to work for themselves or start their own business.

AARP Resources

State Profiles of Workers 45+
Find information by state on how many are working, where they work, and in what industries.

Designer Retirement
The feds are talking about flexible work schedules.

Staying Ahead of the Curve 2003, The AARP Working in Retirement Study
AARP’s nationwide survey explores older workers’ views on work in traditional retirement years.

Additional Resources

Labor Force Projections to 2014: Retiring Boomers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics paints a detailed picture of the changing workforce.

Living Longer, Working Longer: The Changing Landscape of the Aging Workforce
The MetLife Mature Market Institute reports on older workers who remain in—or return to—the workforce.

Working Beyond the Traditional Retirement Age
The University of Minnesota’s Vital Aging Network re-thinks the traditional approach to retirement.