Older workers are a growing share of the workforce

The Washington Post quotes Joanne Song McLaughlin in a story reporting on a significant rise in the proportion of older Americans in the workforce, with the percentage of those over 65 working doubling since the late 1980s. Policy changes have impacted retirement decisions, prompting older workers to consider economic conditions and stock market health when planning their exit from the labor force. McLaughlin said retirement finances are now linked to economic cycles, potentially motivating older workers to extend their careers. “How much money you have for retirement now depends on the economic cycle,” she said. “And that can create incentives for older workers to work longer.”