The Senior Scene

(Pictured: The wage gap between 65-plus workers and ones between 25 and 64 has narrowed significantly, according to Pew Research Center.)

By Richard Fry and Dana Braga

Roughly 19 percent of Americans 65 and older were employed in 2023 – nearly double the share of that age group who were working 35 years ago.

According to a survey by Pew Research Center, not only are older workers increasing in number, but their earning power has grown in recent decades. In 2022, the typical 65-plus worker earned $22 per hour, up from $13 in 1987.  Earnings for younger workers haven’t grown as much. As a result, the wage gap between older workers and those ages 25 to 64 has narrowed significantly.

Today’s older workers are also different from the past in other important ways:

• They’re working more hours, on average, than in previous decades— 62 percent full-time, compared with 47 percent in 1987.
•  They’re more likely to have a four-year college degree. Forty-four percent have a bachelor’s degree or more education, compared with 18 percent in 1987. That puts them about on par with workers ages 25 to 64.
• They’re more likely to be receiving employer-provided benefits such as pension plans and health insurance. Younger  workers’ access to these employer-provided benefits has decreased in recent decades. For example, among workers 65 and older, 36 percent now have the option to participate in an employer or union-sponsored retirement plan (either an old-style pension or a 401(k)-type plan), up from 33 percent in 1987. Only 41 percent of younger workers such retirement plans at work, down from 55 percent in 1987.

Continuing a longstanding trend, older workers are more than twice as likely as younger ones to be self-employed (23 percent to 10 percent).

Taking all these factors into account – more older adults in the workforce, working longer hours with higher levels of education and greater pay per hour – older workers’ overall contribution to the labor force has grown quite a bit. In 2023, they accounted for 7 percent of all wages and salaries paid by U.S. employers–more than triple the share in 1987 (2 percent).

Pew Research Center found that workers  65 and older are more satisfied with their jobs overall than younger workers and less likely to say their work is stressful.

The percentage of older workers in western Washington varies dramatically. Based on data from the U.S.  Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census, Seattle is the 26^th-ranked city nationally at 25 percent, while Tacoma (16 percent) and Vancouver (15 percent) are in the bottom-15.

Various studies and reports, including one from AARP, have revealed that nationally, about a quarter of workers 50 or older think they’ll never retire. Their reasons include rising costs of living, lack of retirement funds, and a desire to remain in jobs that they like. In Washington, 43 percent of private-sector employees don’t have access to an employer retirement plan, according to the state Department of Commerce.

Gender, race, and the older workforce

The demographic makeup of the U.S. workforce overall has changed substantially in recent decades. Some of those changes reflect broader societal shifts, like more women entering the labor force and going to college. Others are tied to the changing racial and ethnic makeup of the country. These trends can be seen across the older and younger workforces.

Women are a larger share of the older workforce than in the past. Today, women represent 46 percent of all workers ages 65 and older. Their share was 40 percent in 1987 and 33 percent in 1964. This trend mirrors almost exactly the pattern seen among younger workers.

In addition, older women today (42 percent) are much more likely than their predecessors (12 percent in 1987) to have a four-year college degree. And older women are now about as likely as men to have a bachelor’s degree or more education—42 percent and 45 percent, respectively.

In years past, men of all ages were more likely than women to have a college degree.

The young adult population is at the forefront of racial and ethnic change in the U.S., and the demographics of the labor force reflect that.

Majorities of older and younger workforces are White, but those shares have declined from previous decades. Meanwhile, shares of Black and Hispanic adults have risen. Still, the younger workforce remains more racially and ethnically diverse: 59 percent of 25 to 64-year-olds are White, compared with 75 percent of those 65 and older. And 19 percent of workers among the younger workforce are Hispanic, compared with 9 percent of older workers.

In addition, 20 percent of younger workers today are foreign-born, compared with 16 percent of older workers. (Data isn’t available prior to 1994.)

Source: Pew Research Center (pewresearch.org), a non-partisan researcher of public opinion, issues, and trends.

(Pictured: Lola Hawkins (left) and Charlie Edgar (second from right) are among the Gig Harbor Hiogh School students who do crafts, play games, and socialize with residents of an assisted-living and memory-care community.)

What Maya Joshi started in Chicago has spread halfway across the country to Gig Harbor.

Joshi, who is now attending Princeton University, was a high school freshman when she founded Lifting Hearts with the Artsin 2020 as a non-profit organization connecting high school students (virtually at first) with residents of assisted-living facilities, nursing homes, and other care communities populated with older adults. The effort to brighten the elders’ lives started after the COVID-19 outbreak and ensuing pandemic put seniors in danger medically and isolated them, all detrimental to their emotional and physical well-being. Four years later, many seniors still experience social isolation, and Lifting Hearts is still doing something about it.

Students volunteer to visit and socialize with seniors in groups or one-on-one. Creative activities such as painting, drawing, weaving and knitting, board games, listening to live music, and trivia games have expanded beyond virtual hookups to in-person gatherings.

Since its start in Illinois, Lifting Hearts has added chapters in Nevada, California, Michigan, and in Washington, where Gig Harbor High School students have become familiar faces for the residents at Gig Harbor Court, an assisted-living and memory-care community. Young and old do hands-on crafts together, chat, and simply enjoy the company.

Every get-together ends with residents “thanking us and telling us how they look forward to us coming again,” said Laura Wrolson, one of the students.

Joshi said the feeling is mutual.

“There’s so much that we as youth can learn from seniors, and I think it’s just as valuable for seniors to learn about younger generations, as well,” she said. Art and music are “amazing ways of bringing together youth and seniors of different backgrounds and lived experiences to form new friendships.”

According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 8 million people in the U.S. receive long-term care, and approximately 1 million live in nursing homes. For them and others, Joshi said, participating in creative activities adds variety to life and an opportunity for expression and communication—all good for stimulating the brain, improving mood, and reducing stress.

Wrolson, who doubles as president of Lifting Hearts’ Washington chapter, shared the thoughts and experiences of her and her Gig Harbor classmates in the following Q and A:

How or why did you become interested in Lifting Hearts with the Arts?

“I started volunteering during my freshman year. It seemed like the perfect way to interact with people in my community and give me experience that I couldn’t get anywhere else–getting to talk and work with an older generation. I haven’t had any experience with seniors quite like it. Talking one-on-one and making art with them is an incredible thing to be a part of and is unlike anything else that I’ve done. This is such a great opportunity for students to have.” 

Are all of the volunteers students?

“Most are all students at Gig Harbor High. They’re also a part of the school’s Interact Club, which is how we let people know about our upcoming events.”

How many students are involved?

“At a typical event there will be about 8 or 10 volunteers, but we’ve had events with 15 or 20.” 

What’s the reaction been like from residents? Can you share any anecdotes?

“Our March event celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with a themed craft. We have events at Gig Harbor Court once a month. The reaction from the residents is always incredible, and we have new people joining us every month. At the last event, we had a few new residents come and do our craft. I was able to talk with one of the new people for over an hour about her life and hobbies, sharing stories about her passion for horses and how that has remained a love of hers. At the end of an event, it always ends with the seniors thanking us for coming and telling us how they look forward to us coming again. As chapter leader, any time I talk with the employees, they all share remarks about how grateful they are that we can come and how the residents always look forward to seeing us and doing new and fun crafts. It feels so great to know that the residents enjoy the events as much as the volunteers do.”

What’s best—activities virtually or in-person?

“Since I joined over two years ago, our visits have all been in-person. When I first started coming to events, COVID was still a large risk, which is why we would wear masks and maintain safe distances. More recently, we’ve been able to move away from the masks and have all events in-person. We’re extremely grateful to be able to do that, because doing it virtually wouldn’t be the same.”

By Kayla Hopkins

We all have regrets. But when it comes to reflecting on their life and professional career, no collective of people may have better insight than retirees. A quarter of retired Americans say they have regrets now that they’ve retired, which can be a learning lesson for younger Americans who still have many professional working years left.

In a new study by MedicareFAQ, a Medicare learning resource center hosted by Elite Insurance Partners, more than 560 retired Americans were surveyed to understand those regrets better and to see what advice they can offer to younger generations.

One of the biggest considerations in retirement is finances. Even once you’ve retired, there’s no guarantee you’ll feel financially secure. In fact, 59 percent of retirees have financial concerns about their retirement, and 46 percent have saved enough money for a comfortable retirement. Eighty-six percent wish they had saved more before retiring, and 60 percent didn’t start investing in their retirement funds early enough. That’s a clear indication that it’s never too early to start saving for retirement, and for most retirees, that’s their biggest piece of advice.

Other advice regarding retirement includes prioritizing experiences over material possessions and finding a fulfilling work-life balance.

Some retirees regret not prioritizing their health. That can look different depending on one’s situation. For some, it means staying active, following a fad diet, or reducing the amount of unhealthy food you eat. For others, it means prioritizing your healthcare. After you retire, healthcare becomes an even more essential part of your daily routine.

Not having a good work-life balance, not traveling enough, and not spending enough time with friends and family are major regrets throughout retirement.

One-tenth of retirees delayed their retirement because they simply enjoyed working. Other reasons included not having enough money saved or a delayed Social Security payout.

Nearly 1 in 4 retirees struggle to find purpose and fulfillment in retirement. The transition from working full-time to being retired can be tough, and 22 percent say this transition was harder than they anticipated.

One thing that may help with the transition, and also help those struggling to find a purpose, may be volunteering or working a part-time job. Currently, 18 percent of retirees volunteer, and 1 in 4 plan to continue working. The vast majority (93 percent) of retirees say retirement has given them the ability to enjoy things they didn’t have time for while working full-time, like new hobbies.

Although they may have regretted not keeping health top of mind when they were younger, retirees are cooking healthier meals, going to the doctor when they think they need to, reviewing their health coverage during enrollment periods, dedicating time to exercise, and more active in general.

Reflecting upon careers, family, travels

In their careers, 38 percent have regrets and 35 percent wish they’d achieved better work-life balance.

One in 10 say they’ve had a “second-act” career, which is a major career change that occurs after retirement.

When it comes to family, 56 percent say they’re able to spend more quality time with their loved ones now that they’ve retired.

Of retired Americans who don’t have children, about 1 in 4 wish they had.

Travel isn’t a luxury everyone can afford, but according 89 percent of retirees, it’s an important part of life. 58 percent wish they’d traveled more when they were younger.

What advice would retirees give to themselves? The biggest thing is to prioritize financial planning and savings. Other self-advice includes taking health seriously, traveling more, focusing on personal growth and happiness, and not living too far beyond your financial means.

When it comes to the age at which they were happiest, retirees say the magic year was 41. Sixty-two percent say age doesn’t limit new life experiences. And 72 percent feel younger than their current age.

Source: MedicareFAQ.com

By Jeff Hoyt

With Joe Biden and Donald Trump poised for an electoral rematch that would produce the oldest U.S. president in history, many believe both candidates are too elderly for the job. Attention focused on the candidates’ ages raises concerns, especially considering that nearly half of older Americans have faced age discrimination in their own professional lives.

The debate surrounding seniority in federal offices brings forth advantages, such as experience and wisdom, and disadvantages, like potential mental decline or difficulties relating to younger voters. To understand voters’ sentiments on these matters and explore possible solutions, Seniorliving.org conducted a survey of over 1,100 American adults of all ages. Here are a few key takeaways:

• 59 percent of Americans feel Trump is too old to retake office, and 69 percent agree Biden is too old for re-election.
• Respondents over 60 were less likely than younger adults to say Biden and Trump are too old for re-election. This could be partly due to their own experiences, as 47 percent of older Americans have experienced age discrimination on the job.
• The vast majority believed that the ideal presidential candidates would be in their 50s or 60s.
• 72 percent support imposing a maximum age limit on the presidency and on Congress. And 44 percent of those in favor of upper limits felt he maximum age for the president should be between 70 and 79.
• Though many expressed interest in upper age limits, 36 percent admitted those restrictions could be discriminatory, and that term limits could be fairer alternatives.

As the median ages of American legislators have consistently escalated, some have labeled the federal government a gerontocracy needing age limits or term restrictions. But would such restrictions be ageist?

With an election featuring two frontrunners born in the 1940s, Seniorliving.org asked respondents their feelings regarding the ages of Biden and Trump. On inauguration day in 2025, Trump will be 78, and Biden will be 82.

The age of the respondents appeared to affect their opinions. About 70 percent of Americans under 45 thought both candidates were too old to be elected. However, people 60 or older were least likely to feel the current officeholder and his predecessor are too old for the job of president. As many older Americans have been personally impacted by age discrimination, they may not want to judge Trump or Biden based on their ages alone.

Even Trump has been cautious about remarking on Biden’s age as a disqualifying factor. In April 2023, he told conservative commentator Tucker Carlson that plenty of people in their 80s and 90s, including U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, remain sharp.

However, even among the oldest respondents, Biden’s age was more concerning than Trump’s. Trump’s acceptance by older Americans may be more ideological than analytical – the Silent Generation (those born before 1946) was the only age group that overwhelmingly supported the Republican in the 2020 election.

Notably, in a time of great political divide, voters across the political spectrum agreed Trump and Biden will be too old for office in 2025.

Survey participants tended to support their party’s candidates more. Only about one-third of Republicans believed Trump was too old to be president, while three-quarters of Democrats thought so. As for Biden, most Democrats agreed he was too old to serve again. Among independents, about two-thirds felt that both candidates were too old for the office.

Seniorliving.org then asked voters about their overall views on age and the presidency to get opinions free from political biases. Specifically, what’s the ideal age for a U.S. president?

The U.S. Constitution states a president must be at least 35 years old, but there is no maximum age limit. Trump was the first president to start his term past age 70, and Biden is the first to serve in his 80s.

The average age of past presidents has been 55, much younger than Biden and Trump at the time of the next election. Historical and modern preferences align: Most people prefer presidents to take office in their 50s or 60s, and 85 percent agreed that a president should ideally be younger than 70.

More than two in three Americans would prefer the president to be in their 50s or 60s–old enough to have amassed knowledge and experience, yet considerably younger than Biden or Trump. That opinion was consistent among respondents across age groups, but varied by political party.

Most citizens are comfortable with the current constitutional minimum age for the presidency – nearly 60 percent feel it should remain at 35 years. Interestingly, nearly twice as many voters would eliminate the age minimum as would choose to raise it.

However, nearly three-quarters of Americans would amend the Constitution to add an upper age limit on presidential qualifications. Seventy-five percent of Republicans favored a maximum presidential age, compared to 69 percent of Democrats. In the U.S., few roles have specific age restrictions. The jobs that do tend to have rigorous physical demands, such as law enforcement officers or air traffic controllers.

Opinions varied regarding what the maximum age should be for president. Nearly 10 percent believe presidents shouldn’t be older than 60, while 20 percent would allow private-sector executives to serve into their 80s.

Those on the left tended to prefer a lower age limit than those on the right. Forty-two percent of Democrats would prohibit 70-year-olds from holding office. Three-quarters of Republicans would choose an upper limit of 71 or higher, with one-quarter content to set the age ceiling in the 80s. This makes sense given the demographics of each party. Republicans tend to be older adults, and many younger voters are Democrats.

What about Congress?

Age concerns for the American government aren’t limited to the executive branch. Despite a handful of young, new representatives, the current Congress is one of the oldest in history. The median age of representatives is 57 years old, while the senators’ median age is 65.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, who died last October at the age of 90, and Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who’s 90, arguably typify age issues. Feinstein suffered medical problems and reported cognitive challenges undermining her ability to serve. Grassley recently won a new six-year term and has already filed for re-election in 2028, potentially putting him in office past the age of 100.

Most Americans are okay with the current minimum ages for Congress (age 25 for the House and 30 for the Senate). However, over a quarter of Americans would prefer to remove these requirements and allow even younger citizens to run for federal office.

Most Americans want to restrict older legislators, with nearly three-quarters supporting a maximum age for the House and Senate. Republicans showed slightly more support for an upper age limit than Democrats. Americans generally agreed that the upper age for Congress members should be between 70 and 79, the same as for president.

Almost half of the people polled felt senior politicians are out of touch with modern issues like technology and climate change, making them unable to represent younger generations. Notably, younger Americans were nearly three times more likely to say older legislators make government worse instead of better. Among those under 45, this ratio increased to four-to-one.

While many Americans want to limit the age of congressional members, a significant portion is hesitant to set specific age restrictions. About 48 percent believe age isn’t crucial as long as politicians can serve the public interest. Additionally, 36 percent view age restrictions as discriminatory and prefer that the ballots reflect their confidence in individual candidates’ competence.

Unlike age limits, term limits offer a fair way to promote legislative turnover without discriminating based on age. They would stop long-serving incumbents from staying in office for many decades. Currently, 16 states have term limits for statewide offices, which Americans prefer over age limits by a margin of more than four to one.

Out of the 45 presidents before Trump and Biden, all were younger than 70 when they took office. Now the nation has had consecutive presidents in their 70s, and, likely, the next one will also be in their 80s during their term.

Some believe the electoral system favors long-term politicians, resulting in overrepresentation of elderly individuals and reduced government responsiveness. Around 70 percent of Americans support setting a maximum age for federal elected officials, and many also favor term limits for congressional leaders. Currently, the 22nd Amendment places a term limit on the presidency.

Campaign finances, voter turnout, and incumbency advantage have driven the aging of Congress. But is this an issue that needs to be addressed? After all, senior leaders can stabilize the nation, preserve knowledge, and temper youthful ideas. As life expectancy increases, politicians’ ages will also rise naturally. If ineffective leadership persists, Americans always have the option to head to the ballot box to vote in leaders with fresh perspectives at any age.

Source: Seniorliving.org, an online directory of information and topics for older adults, surveyed 1,113 adults in 2023 for this report. Twenty-one were 18 to 29 years old, 27 percent were between 30 and 44, 28 percent were 45 to 60, and 24 percent were 60 or older. Thirty-five percent were Democrats, 29 percent were Republicans, 25 percent were independents, and 11 percent didn’t align with any of those three groups.