A recent report from the Pew Research Center outlined the growing share of older adults remaining or rejoining the workforce after age 65. The report used data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey and the Federal Reserve’s 2022 Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking.

The Pew analysis found that 19% of Americans 65 and over were employed this year, up from 11% in 1987. Since the late 1980’s the percentage of older adults participating in the workforce has doubled.

Richard Fry, a senior researcher at Pew Research Center said “But it isn’t just that there are more older adults in the workforce, it’s that a larger share of them are working. And it tends to be better-educated, older adults with a college degree.” These skilled professionals are often seeking meaningful employment opportunities that offer flexibility and financial security.

Interested in recruiting older adults as employees? See the LeadingAge workforce resources page for a variety of tools for recruiting and communicating with potential staff from all walks of life. The Opening Doors to the Aging Services Workforce Toolkit for Recruitment Communications offers research-based communication strategies, and our Recruiting From Diverse Communities tool includes specific advice on reaching older adults about working in our field.