Survey: 50+ Workers Not Ready to Retire
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2007-01-25 17:42:32.878394-05:00
It's a truism that America's 78 million Baby Boomers have altered every facet of American life, from politics to popular culture.
Now, with the oldest Boomers hitting 60, they are poised to redefine what it means to be an older worker and what it means to employ them.
Good news on both fronts emerged from a new survey of 1,000 Indiana residents commissioned by AARP Indiana. The survey will bolster AARP Indiana's legislative agenda this year, as we champion legislation that strengthens Indiana's protections against age discrimination.
2007 AARP Indiana 50+ Worker Newsletter
According to the survey, most Hoosiers want to postpone retirement as long as possible, so they can make positive social contributions and remain physically and mentally active.
Those same workers recognize the need to learn new skills and technologies as jobs change.
"All of these things speak to worker quality," says Susan L. Silberman, an AARP senior research advisor who interpreted the results.
The responses track an earlier report on older workers from the Center for Aging and Community (CAC) at the University of Indianapolis. But CAC researcher Kay Crawford, who also studies employer attitudes toward older workers, says many companies are slow to recognize the value of older workers or plan for a future that includes them.
Hoosier workers share those concerns, according to the AARP survey.
- While 80 percent strongly or somewhat agree that most older workers can perform as well on the job as younger workers, 81% believe that employers try to economize by replacing older employees with younger ones.
- 58 percent either strongly or somewhat agree that most employers discriminate against older workers.
- And 65 percent strongly or somewhat agree that older workers are forced to retire before they want to.
According to the survey, these are not idle perceptions.
Twenty-nine percent of respondents said either they or someone they know has experienced some form of discrimination after 40, including not being hired, being passed over for raises or promotions, or being forced or encouraged to retire early.
Unfortunately, Indiana law offers them little recourse. Hoosiers can file complaints with the state Department of Labor, but they cannot take discrimination claims to court.
Even then, our age discrimination statutes only apply until age 75.
According to the AARP survey, most 50+ Hoosiers want change.
- 77 percent think workers should be able to bring age discrimination cases to court
- 71 percent oppose mandatory retirement ages
- 65 percent say age discrimination statutes should extend beyond age 75
At AARP Indiana's urging, state Rep. Joe Micon has filed legislation to change that. Micon's bill would give people legal recourse to pursue age discrimination claims and make sure that existing protections don't stop at age 75.
You can help, too. Tell your state lawmakers to support the proposed changes - and tell them you're an AARP member and you vote.
Related Articles
- 2007 AARP Indiana 50+ Worker Newsletter
The majority of Indiana workers age 50+ support the changing of legislation to allow individuals to bring age discrimination cases to state courts and also support legislation to extend age protection to workers who are older than 75.
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