Work Programs and Career Support for Older Adults

Group Of Retired Seniors Attending IT Class In Community Centre With Teacher

Older adults face higher unemployment rates and more barriers to good jobs in today’s market, from age discrimination to a lack of confidence in their digital skills. Obstacles to well-paying, secure jobs can unfairly prevent adults over 50 from earning a living wage and participating in their local economies.

Upskilling Really Matters

Lots of evidence suggests that improving your skills is more important than ever before, especially for older workers who often lack opportunities to get appropriate training. Learn more about an AARP Foundation initiative that reveals just how vital upskilling is, and dig deeper by reading AARP Foundation President Claire Casey’s chapter in a new book about the future of workforce development.

Myths and Facts About Older Workers

Older workers bring value, skills and experience to today's workforce. To showcase the unique strengths and capabilities that experienced employees contribute to organizations, we've created an empowering "MythBusters" resource that champions age-inclusive hiring and helps workers thrive in the workplace. This valuable resource was developed together with the SHRM Foundation. Check out the "MythBusters" resource.

Programs and Services

For more than 60 years, AARP Foundation has been developing and supporting workforce initiatives designed to help older adults with low income return to the workforce or advance to better jobs. Learn more about our BACK TO WORK 50+ program and Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) below.

BACK TO WORK 50+

BACK TO WORK 50+ has been doing just what its name says — helping people over 50 get back to work — since 2013. The program works with trained career transition coaches who host in-person and online coaching sessions that help unemployed older adults build the skills and confidence they need to compete for high-quality jobs, at no cost to them.

The program is available nationally through webinars with 6 nonprofit organizations and community colleges across five states.

In 2024, a total of 23,754 older adults with low income accessed our resources or attended a workshop to learn proven strategies for finding employment and build confidence. More than 2,800 of those jobseekers received career coaching virtually or in person, an increase of 68 percent from 2023. And of those who participated in coaching, 723 shared with AARP Foundation that they found new jobs. Learn more about BACK TO WORK 50+.

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

Norma Trevino says "I truly appreciate having a job that makes me get up every day with enthusiasm. I see my future with security and confidence now. I have purpose in my day-to-day life."

Funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, AARP Foundation SCSEP organizes training assignments that help participants build job skills while giving back to their community. The program does this by matching unemployed adults over 55 with local nonprofits and public agencies so they can increase skills and build self-confidence while earning a modest training wage. The majority of SCSEP participants end up with unsubsidized employment.

In 2024, the average SCSEP participant completed the program in 15 months, entering the workforce three months faster than the previous year and earning 12% more. Today, we run 113 SCSEP offices in 19 states and Puerto Rico, harnessing the collaborative strength of 3,500 nonprofit and government host agencies. Learn more about SCSEP.

AARP Foundation SCSEP is funded by a $46,889,529 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. This funding provides 90% of the support for SCSEP, with AARP Foundation matching 10%.