While the Federal Government has been involved in the care of the elderly since the depression, a comprehensive and unified national retirement policy has never been established. Federal programs for the aged have avoided cutbacks, but adaptations in present retirement policy are required to meet the needs of young and old alike. Although public…

This fact sheet provides an overview of the employment situation facing older adults. Statistics (Harris 1974 and 1979) are presented on the number of older Americans who are working, volunteering, or have an interest in working or volunteering; the attitudes of employers and employees about retirement and about working after age 65; and the…

Demographic data based on the U.S. census of 1980 are presented and compared to data from the 1970 census. A series of charts, maps, graphs, and tables provide detailed statistical data on such things as population growth trends, population by race and age, educational achievement, number of people living alone, male and female occupations,…

As of 1985 the population of persons aged 65 or over in the United States numbered 28.5 million. By the year 2000, persons in the 65+ age group are expected to represent 13 percent of the population, and this percentage may climb to 21.2 percent by 2030. In 1985, older men were twice as likely to be married as older women. Sixty-seven percent of…

A number of factors and trends contribute to an increase in older adults in the workforce including demographics, financial concerns, changing concepts of retirement, longer and healthier life spans, and demand for the knowledge and skills possessed by the current generation of older workers. Careers are now considered to be more fluid, nonlinear…