A recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center’s Social and Demographic Trends shows that 93% of the growth in the US work force from 2006 to 2016 will be among older workers, ages 55 and older. While these “older adults” are working longer, younger adults are staying out of the work force longer. These trends have intensified during the recession and are expected to continue.

Interestingly, older workers are more satisfied with their jobs: 54% of those age 65 and older say they are completely satisfied, compared to 29% of workers age 16 to 64. And 68% of older workers say are working because they want to feel useful and productive, not because they need to.

What are the implications of this unexpected trend? Continue reading…