ShAARP Session: Observations from AARP

Results tagged “older workers” from ShAARP Session

Oct '09 26

Correy Robertson | 10:14 AM | 0 Comments

The recurring theme of older works and unemployment was in the news again this weekend. This one from the New York Times says that there are more Americans 65 and over working than any time in history: 6.6 million. And in addition to those 6.6 million in the workforce, another 500,000 seniors want to work but cannot find work. The article really delves deep into the dire situation.


"That so many of them are still trying to find work shows how bad the economic situation is. A lot of people normally give up at that age," says AARP's legislative policy director, David Certner, in the article.


The article also gives statistics from AARP's Public Policy Institute - such as the fact that unemployed older workers, on average, take 40 percent longer than the general unemployed to find work -- 36.5 weeks on average.


In addition, the issue of age discrimination is discussed, a topic that AARP has been talking about a lot lately, backing the proposed legislation, Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act.


It's a very informative article that hits home on a lot of key points on unemployment and older workers - check it out.

Oct '09 22

Correy Robertson | 12:17 PM | 0 Comments

A short but noteworthy article is on WSJ.com today - and it is a nice bit of news for those of us, young and old, still socking away money each paycheck in our 401(k)s. It says that "about half" the companies that suspended their matching benefit are "quietly" planning to match a portion of their employees 401(k) contributions. Check out the story for all the details.


Another story worth checking out today is in Newsweek - it's called "Un-Retiring." The story says that with "bigger than expected bills and smaller than expected nest eggs," workers between 55 and 70 expect to keep working until they are 70, and those already over 66 say they expect to work until they are 76. Check out the story for some resources on the best way to re-enter the job market if you're an older worker. Of course, the story points out AARP's list of 50 Best Employers for Workers Over 50. Check that out too!


All this older worker talk reminds me of an interesting post on WalletPop.com from yesterday...It says that more than half of the babies born in industrialized countries after the year 2000 will live to be 100. Great news, right? But it took this story to make me really think about the financial consequences of a longer lifespan. Check it out for yourself to see how the game changes when you life to be 100. AARP's John Rother is featured!

Jun '09 12

David Goldstein | 1:13 PM | 1 Comments

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As more and more boomers near retirement age, they are forced to deal with the gap between what they've saved and the cost of living. Many people have no choice but to put off retirement and go back to work. One common reaction has been to start up a business in the hopes of bridging this gap with some extra income. This is actually becoming an increasingly common option as many boomers struggle to make up for losses in the stock market. Start ups offer the chance to inject some creativity into your job and also allow a great deal of freedom. Of course there are risks involved in starting your own company so be sure to do your homework before diving in.

Jun '09 8

David Goldstein | 10:34 AM | 0 Comments

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Surf, sand, sunny beaches and stress - one of these isn't typically associated with summer getaways. Yet a survey by global staffing firm Randstad reveals a surprising cause of employee stress - taking time off for a vacation.

When asked what they found difficult about taking time off from work for vacation, 84% of workers over 55 said the first day back was the most stressful, significantly higher than Gen Y, Gen X and Boomers.

So what can be done to alleviate some of the stress - tons of emails, a desk piled high with reports and paperwork and a full voicemail inbox - that comes with the first day back in the office from vacation? Below, Eric Buntin, managing director for Randstad US, suggests the following tips for making your first day back from vacation productive and stress free:



Get a Head Start - go through your email inbox the day before you return to the office. After deleting the junk mail, scan for emails from your boss, employees and clients, assigning priority for follow-up upon your return to the office. This will create a more focused environment once you arrive to work the next morning.


Ask for a Status Update - if you work on a team or have staff that reports into you, ask someone to send you an email updating you on your projects. By doing this before you get into the office, you'll have a head-start on your first-day priorities.


Be an Early Bird - arrive before normal office hours to ensure you get some quiet time to prioritize your to-do list and review and return voicemail messages. Once co-workers begin arriving, chances are you're more likely to engage in conversation and be met with distractions.


Take Your Boss To Lunch - taking your boss to lunch on your first day back gives you time to catch up on projects and discuss important matters in a one-on-one atmosphere.


Gas Up - be sure your car has a full tank of gas so you don't have the added stress of stopping at the gas station on your way into work, which can sometimes alter your morning routine.

For more employment tips check out Randstad's website here.

May '09 12

David Goldstein | 10:57 AM | 0 Comments

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The thought of changing careers is always scary. The feelings of uncertainty only increase when that change comes after age 50. However, a new study shows there may not be anything to fear. In fact, if you're willing to accept a pay cut, a job switch could pay great dividends in happiness. The study shows that amongst those who switched careers after age 50, 91% of people enjoyed their new jobs. Researchers attribute the increased happiness to a reduction of stress and greater workplace flexibility. A note of caution: the people surveyed did experience a drop in pay and many lost benefits or pensions. So finding a new job could improve your quality of life, just be sure you can afford to make the change.

Feb '09 3

David Goldstein | 9:58 AM | 1 Comments

The job market is a tough place these days. As layoffs are piling up and people who still have jobs are feeling insecure, Americans are increasingly turning to the federal government for job security. While there is usually high demand for federal jobs amongst younger people, the 50+ crowd is joining in recently. With bills to pay, both for themselves and their children, boomers and those nearing retirement age are eyeing federal jobs that seem to offer more security and reliability. Those older federal employees who had been nearing retirement are often holding off to wait for better economic times before leaving the job. With the stimulus package promising to expand the federal workforce, people looking for a good job with good benefits may want to consider consulting their Uncle Sam.

Sep '08 24

David Goldstein | 9:56 AM | 0 Comments

You're not alone if you feel like your job is killing you, but you should know it doesn't have to be like this. AARP has just released its list of Best Employers, rating these employers on criteria including: recruitment, opportunities for career training, workplace accommodations, alternative work options, health benefits, and benefits for retirees. These are the kinds of jobs that offer people great flexibility and the kind of care that can actually improve the quality of your life. Maybe you wouldn't dread getting up in the morning if you worked for one of these employers. How's that for a change?

Sep '08 22

David Goldstein | 2:42 PM | 0 Comments

After our continual hard work to keep you informed on the latest news and stories that are important to you, we've gotten some love for ourselves. One of aarp.org's many services is helping 50+ workers find jobs for second or continuing careers. Our partnership with retirementjobs.com has enabled us to provide a great service to those in the 50+ community looking for a new job and recently, Fortune Magazine recognized this tool as a quality resource for the older worker. They even gave some recognition to our humble blog.

Aug '08 27

Alejandra Owens | 3:26 PM | 0 Comments

As a part of their series on retirement issues in the 21st century, USA Today had a not-so-happy piece today about how many of the 1.6 million people becoming eligible for Social Security this year are actually postponing retirement because of health care costs and other economic problems the country is currently facing. Via Kaiser:

In 2007, only 45% of large companies subsidized health insurance for early retirees, compared with 88% in 1991, according to Hewitt Associates. As a result, many employees who retire before age 65, when they become eligible for Medicare, would have to find a new source of health insurance, such as the individual coverage market, Rick McGill, head of retiree medical consulting at Hewitt, said.

A recent AARP piece has a bit more of a positive spin on the trend of delays in retirement. After all, we shouldn't assume all people will automatically want to retire once they're eligible for Social Security; many older Americans love their work, and aren't ready to give it up.

Aug '08 19

Alejandra Owens | 8:51 AM | 0 Comments

The Wall Street Journal's blog Juggle has an interesting post on the issue of the younger boss. You would think most people dread the younger boss; after all, much of the time it's a new boss who comes into a company that you know better than them. But it seems a lot of people vary in their experiences. Blogger Jennifer Merritt wonders:

That may be true, but I wonder if having a younger boss -- particularly one without children and with a 24-7 mentality of messaging and communicating -- could be tough if you have a family. Constant communication can seem overbearing and a younger boss might not care about working until 8 p.m., or won't understand that your lack of chit-chatting isn't unfriendly, just a tactic to be efficient and make it home in time to say goodnight to your children.

But are those experiences Jennifer is wondering about an issue of age, or an issue of whether you're simply a good boss? What do you think?

Aug '08 11

Alejandra Owens | 1:33 PM | 0 Comments

This BusinessWeek piece is unbelievable. It's titled, "Would We Fire Older Workers If We Could?"

And it's certainly not a joke. Author Liz Ryan asks readers:

We DO love youth culture, here in the U.S. We celebrate fresh thinking and new ideas. Age discrimination claims in employment are on the rise. Are our anti-discrimination laws the only things that are keeping our employers from following the airline's lead and booting the oldest employees? Can new ideas and older talent pools co-exist?

Is she really asking this question? It's as if older folks are in some sort of bubble confined away from the rest of the world, incapable of thinking of fresh ideas. In the "About" part of this section of BusinessWeek, which is titled, "Generational Tension," it says, "Our experts on the millennial workplace, Liz Ryan, David Stillman, and Lynne Lancaster explain how to close the generation gap."

Well I must say, if they're interested in closing that gap, wondering aloud about firing all older employees and implying they have little to offer to the workforce is not going to do it. Rant over.