Employment Status of Workers Ages 55 or Older

Abstract:     
An increasing percentage of older Americans are in the labor force: The percentage of those ages 55 or older in the labor force increased from 37.7 percent in 1993 to 44.9 percent in 2006. For those ages 65-69, the percentage increased from 18.4 percent in 1985 to 29.0 percent in 2006. This paper examines the employment status (full time, part time, or part year) of these older workers. Using March Current Population Survey data, the percentage of these older workers working full time, full year was found to have increased steadily from 1993 to 2005. Consequently, not only are members of the older population more likely to work, they are more likely to be working full time, full year. The trend toward more full-time, full-year work is more closely examined across various demographic categories.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 12

Keywords: Aged, Demographics, Employment, Labor force participation

JEL Classification: J14, J21

Accepted Paper Series