Seniors Not Going Anywhere…Except To Work

America’s senior population isn’t automatically retiring at age 60 or 65 anymore.

Turns out that factors like a down economy, a decline in physically-demanding jobs and a longer life expectancy are keeping more seniors at work and off the golf courses.

According to the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI), this trend affects many areas from workers’ compensation (cheaper to cover older workers than younger workers) to pay rates (average wages typically increase until a worker is in his/her early 50s, then it falls until around age 64 when it decreases significantly) to even ideas and expectations about retirement.

Good workers to have. Many employers are happy to hire or keep on this group of workers, as they are trained, experience, dedicated and responsible. Often, as well, they have lower salary demands than their younger peers. Many of these senior workers can’t afford not to work, while others choose the 9-to-5 life over one of total retirement.

It will be interesting to see how this trend continues (or not) as life expectancies and quality of life continue to increase for seniors – while the economy recovers and heads up, which is likely to start at some point soon.