Employment and Older Adults. Overview [microform] : ERIC Fact Sheet No. 18 / Bart Beaudin

This fact sheet provides an overview of the employment situation facing older adults. Statistics (Harris 1974 and 1979) are presented on the number of older Americans who are working, volunteering, or have an interest in working or volunteering; the attitudes of employers and employees about retirement and about working after age 65; and the demographic shifts in the composition of the work force. Current employment and pension policies which are causing a decline in the labor force participation of older persons are described including mandatory retirement, Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) regulations, and Social Security limitations. Forces which are slowing or reversing this decline are also described. Fourteen specific recommendations for age-neutral personnel policies are presented. The recommendations are organized into four categories: (1) hiring and separation; (2) pay and benefits; (3) assessment and counseling; and (4) training and development. This fact sheet includes a bibliography of eight resources, four of which are available from the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) system. (DC)