Research: "Traditional" Retirement Recedes as More U.S. Employees Work Past 65

The Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire has released a study confirming that, since the mid-1990s Americans are retiring less and working longer, reversing a decades-long shift to earlier retirement. In "Older Americans Working More, Retiring Less", Anne Shattuck reports that 22% of men and 13% of women over age 65 were in the work force in 2009, an increase from 17% of men and 9% of women over the age of 65 in 1995.

When this change first became apparent, it was unclear whether it would be a temporary halt or a reversal of the decades-long decline in work at older ages. however, recent data indicate that the proportion of older adults working for pay is still growing. although the trend began in the 1990s, the current economic recession may be an important reason that it continues.

Among other things, the report points out:

• men and women work longer in both rural and urban areas<;
• those with more education work longer;
• divorce drives many women to work longer; and
• most work after age 65 is part-time, but full-time work
  is on the rise.

Source: SeacoastOnline"Still working after age 65" (July 19, 2010)