Staying Ahead of the Curve: The AARP Work and Career Study

An exploration of the perspectives, desires, fears and work-related needs of older workers today and tomorrow. For this AARP study, RoperASW conducted telephone interviews with a nationally representative sample of 1,500 workers age 45-74, including those looking for work. Interviews with additional samples of African American, Hispanic, and Asian workers brought the total number of interviews to 2,518.

The results show that 69 percent of these older workers plan to work in some capacity during their retirement years. They work not only for money but also for intangible benefits, such as enjoyment and a sense of purpose. For many (particularly baby boomers), juggling work and personal responsibilities is a pervasive feature of their lives.

Among other amenities, they want respect, training, benefits and job flexibility. Although optimistic about their own ability to find and retain a job, 67 percent have concerns that age discrimination remains a major barrier to their advancement and well-being in the workplace.

For more information, please contact Xenia Montenegro of AARP Knowledge Management at 202/434-3538.