Unemployment

Statistic # 2410

A 2006 analysis of Health and Retirement Survey data showed that "about 7 in 10 adults who were age 51 to 61 in 1992 develop health problems, lose their jobs, or lose spouses to death or divorce during the 10-year period ending in 2002. (p. 2)

Johnson, R. W., Mermin, G. B. T., & Uccello, C. E. (2006). How secure are retirement nest eggs? (An Issue in Brief No. 45). Chestnut Hill, MA: Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. Retrieved from http://crr.bc.edu/images/stories/Briefs/ib_45.pdf

This brief examines different types of negative events that can strike near retirement. It reports the incidence of widowhood, divorce, job layoffs, disability, and various medical conditions over a 10-year period, and estimates their impact on household wealth. Data come from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a nationally representative survey of older Americans conducted by the University of Michigan for the National Institute on Aging. The survey interviewed a large sample of non-institutionalized adults ages 51 to 61 in 1992 and re-interviewed them every other year. The analysis uses data through 2002, the most recent year available.

Unemployment

Statistic # 2084

Based on analysis of 2003-05 CPS data, nearly one quarter (24.1%) of labor force participants aged 20 to 29 years were underemployed [defined as either unemployed, discouraged, involuntary part-time, or earnings less than 125% of the poverty threshold]. "The prevalence of underemployment then steadily dropped, hitting its lowest point (11.8%) among those aged 50 to 54 years." For other age groups, the rates are 14.1% (30-39), 12.6% (40-49), 13.9% (60-64), and 15.9% (65-69). "Across all age groups women faced higher rates of underemployment." (Table 2, p. S18)




Slack, T., & Jensen, L. (2008). Employment hardship among older workers: Does residential and gender inequality extend into older age? The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 63(1), S15-24.

This study is based on data from the March Current Population Surveys for the years 2003, 2004, and 2005. Descriptive statistics were used to explore the prevalence of underemployment among older workers. (p. S15)

Unemployment

Statistic # 2076

According to 2007 Current Population Survey data, among the 42,207,000 persons aged 55 and over who are currently not in the labor force, 41,275,000 (98%) report that they "do not want a job now", compared to 933,000 (2%) who indicate that they do want a job.

U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Household data annual averages. Table 35. Persons not in the labor force by desire and availability for work, age and sex. Retrieved June 3, 2008, from http://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat35.pdf

The Current Population Survey (CPS) is a monthly survey of households conducted by the Bureau of Census for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It provides a comprehensive body of data on the labor force, employment, unemployment, and persons not in the labor force.

Unemployment

Statistic # 2048

According to analysis of the Displaced Workers Survey, in 2004 workers age 25-29 had a 4% probability of being displaced.  In comparison, the probability was 4.2% for ages 30-34, 2.9% for ages 35-39, 2.5% for ages 40-44, 2.2% for ages 45-54, 3% for ages 55-59, and 3.5% for ages 60-64. (Table 5, p. 25)



Munnell, A. H., Sass, S., Soto, M., & Zhivan, N. (2006).  Has the disaplcement of older workers increased? (Working Paper No. 17).  Chestnut Hill, MA: Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.  Retrieved from http://crr.bc.edu/images/stories/Working_Papers/wp_2006-17.pdf



This paper "explores the relationship between job loss and age over the period 1984-2004 using the biennial Displaced Worker Supplement to the Current Population Survey.  "The survey attempts to measure the incidence of job loss due to a shift in labor demand by asking workers whether they have been displaced for one of the following reasons: 1. their plant or company closed down or moved; 2. their company had insufficient work; 3. their position or shift was abolished; 4. a seasonal job was completed; 5. a self-operated business failed; 6. other reason."

Unemployment

Statistic # 2047

According to analysis of the Displaced Worker Survey, in 2004 the three-year displacement rate [the number of reported job losers over a three year period] was 8.1% for workers aged 20-24, 11% for ages 25-29, 10.8% for ages 30-34, 9.3% for ages 35-39, 8.8% for ages 40-44, 8.3% for ages 45-49, 8% for ages 50-54, 8.5% for ages 55-59, and 9.4% for ages 60-64. (Table 2, p. 23) 

Munnell, A. H., Sass, S., Soto, M., & Zhivan, N. (2006). Has the displacement of older workers increased? (Working Paper No. 17). Chestnut Hill, MA: Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. Retrieved from http://crr.bc.edu/images/stories/Working_Papers/wp_2006-17.pdf

This paper "explores the relationship between job loss and age over the period 1984-2004 using the biennial Displaced Worker Supplement to the Current Population Survey. The survey attempts to measure the incidence of job loss due to a shift in labor demand by asking workers whether they have been displaced for one of the following reasons: 1. their plant or company closed down or moved; 2. their company had insufficient work; 3. their position or shift was abolished; 4. a seasonal job was completed; 5. a self-operated business failed; 6. other reason."

Unemployment

Statistic # 2031

According to a 2008 Pew Research Center survey, 21% of workers between the ages of 18-29 were fired or laid off in the past year. For 30-49 year-olds the percentage was 15%; for those aged 50-64, 11% and for 65 and older, 3%. Younger workers are particularly vulnerable; "about one-in-five adults under the age of 30 was fired or laid off last year."

Morin, R. (2008). You're laid off. Washington, DC: Pew Research Center. Retrieved from http://pewresearch.org/pubs/802/youre-laid-off

This report summarizes a recent Pew Social and Demographic Trends survey, which is a telephone survey of 2,413 adults, conducted from Jan. 24 through Feb. 19, 2008.

Unemployment

Statistic # 2030

According to a 2008 Pew Research Center survey,"15% of all workers say it is at least somewhat likely that they will be laid off in the coming year while 84% say there is little or no chance they will lose their job." Among specific age groups, the percentages of workers employed full or part-time who say that it is very or somewhat likely that they may be laid off in the next year are 11% for age 18-29; 17% for 30-49; 15% for age 50-64, and 11% for age 65 and older.

Morin, R. (2008). You're laid off. Washington, DC: Pew Research Center. Retrieved from http://pewresearch.org/pubs/802/youre-laid-off

This report summarizes a recent Pew Social and Demographic Trends survey, which is a telephone survey of 2,413 adults, conducted from Jan. 24 through Feb. 19, 2008.

Unemployment

Statistic # 1979

According to analysis of the Displaced Workers Survey, in 2004 "those 55-59 and 60-64 are about 20 percent less likely to be re-employed than younger workers." (p. 14)  Re-employment rates in 2004 were 62.1% for ages 20-24, 67.8% for ages 25-29, 69.5% for ages 30-34, 70.2% for ages 35-39, 70.9% for ages 40-44, 67.2% for ages 45-49, 64.5% for ages 50-54, 63.3% for ages 55-59, and 46.3% for ages 60-64. (Table 3, p. 24).

Munnell, A. H., Sass, S., Soto, M., & Zhivan, N. (2006). Has the displacement of older workers increased? (Working Paper No. 17). Chestnut Hill, MA: Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. Retrieved from http://crr.bc.edu/images/stories/Working_Papers/wp_2006-17.pdf

This paper "explores the relationship between job loss and age over the period 1984-2004 using the biennial Displaced Worker Supplement to the Current Population Survey..."The survey attempts to measure the incidence of job loss due to a shift in labor demand by asking workers whether they have been displaced for one of the following reasons: 1. their plant or company closed down or moved; 2. their company had insufficient work; 3. their position or shift was abolished; 4. a seasonal job was completed; 5. a self-operated business failed; 6. other reason."

Unemployment

Statistic # 1959

According to a 2006 analysis of the Displaced Workers Survey, among workers who were displaced and re-employed in full-time jobs in 2004, income decreased by 11.6% for workers age 25-29, 12.6% for ages 30-34, 10.1% for ages 35-39, 25.6% for ages 40-44, 21.9% for ages 45-49, 26% for ages 50-54, 12.7% for ages 55-59, and 23.3% for ages 60-64. (Table 8, p. 27)

Munnell, A. H., Soto, M., & Zhivan, N. (2006). Has the displacement of older workers increased? (Working Paper 2006-17). Chestnut Hill, MA: Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. Retrieved from http://crr.bc.edu/images/stories/Working_Papers/wp_2006-17.pdf 

This paper "explores the relationship between job loss and age over the period 1984-2004 using the biennial Displaced Worker Supplement to the Current Population Survey...The survey attempts to measure the incidence of job loss due to a shift in labor demand by asking workers whether they have been displaced for one of the following reasons: 1. their plant or company closed down or moved; 2. their company had insufficient work; 3. their position or shift was abolished; 4. a seasonal job was completed; 5. a self-operated business failed; 6. other reason."

Unemployment

Statistic # 1957

According to a 2006 analysis of the Displaced Workers Survey, when the researchers controlled for tenure, "older workers are actually more likely than their younger counterparts to be displaced." (p. 10) In 2004, the probability of displacement was 5.3% for workers ages 25-29, 6.7% for ages 30-34, 6.8% for ages 35-39, 7.5% for ages 40-44, 8.1% for ages 45-49, 8.7% for ages 50-54, 10.3% for ages 55-59, and 11.6% for ages 60-64. (Table 6, p. 25)

Munnell, A. H., Sass, S., Soto, M., & Zhivan, N. (2006). Has the displacement of older workers increased? (Working Paper No. 17). Chestnut Hill, MA: Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. Retrieved from http://crr.bc.edu/images/stories/Working_Papers/wp_2006-17.pdf

This paper "explores the relationship between job loss and age over the period 1984-2004 using the biennial Displaced Worker Supplement to the Current Population Survey...The survey attempts to measure the incidence of job loss due to a shift in labor demand by asking workers whether they have been displaced for one of the following reasons: 1. their plant or company closed down or moved; 2. their company had insufficient work; 3. their position or shift was abolished; 4. a seasonal job was completed; 5. a self-operated business failed; 6. other reason."

Unemployment

Statistic # 2085

Based on analysis of 2003-05 CPS data, there is a "higher prevalence of underemployment* among older-aged workers in non-metropolitan areas" compared to those in metropolitan areas. For example, "among those aged 60 to 64 years, 17.5% of those in nonmetro areas were underemployed versus 13.0% of those in metro areas." For ages 55-59, 15.4% of workers in nonmetro areas were underemployed, compared to 11.6% of metro workers. "Within each age group it was nonmetro women who registered the highest rates of underemployment." (Table 2, p. S18)

*Underemployment is defined as either "unemployed, discouraged, involuntary part-time, or earnings less than 125% of the poverty threshold."

Slack, T., & Jensen, L. (2008). Employment hardship among older workers: Does residential and gender inequality extend into older age? The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 63(1), S15-24.

This study is based on data from the March Current Population Surveys for the years 2003, 2004, and 2005. Descriptive statistics were used to explore the prevalence of underemployment among older workers. (p. S15)

Unemployment

Statistic # 2187

According to a 2008 Bureau of Labor Statistics survey on displaced workers, "reemployment rates for workers ages 20 to 24 and 25 to 54 were 68 and 73 percent, respectively. Reemployment rates for older workers ages 55 to 64 and 65 years and over were 61 and 18 percent, respectively. Among those age 65 years and over, 69 percent were no longer in the labor force when surveyed." (p. 2)

Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2008). Worker displacement, 2005-2007. Washington, DC: U. S. Department of Labor. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/disp_08202008.pdf

This report presents findings of the January 2008 survey conducted by the Employment and Training Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor has on workers who were displaced from their jobs. These surveys have been conducted biennially as supplements to the Current Population Survey (CPS), a monthly survey of households that is the primary source of information on the nation's labor force. The period covered in this study was 2005-07, the 3 calendar years prior to the January 2008 survey date.

Unemployment

Statistic # 2385

According to a 2008 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "reemployment rates for workers ages 20 to 24 and 25 to 54 were 68 and 73 percent, respectively. Reemployment rates for older workers--ages 55 to 64 and 65 years and over--were 61 and 18 percent, respectively. Among those age 65 years and over, 69 percent were no longer in the labor force when surveyed." (p. 1)

Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2008). Displaced workers summary: Worker displacement, 2005-2007. Retrieved February 14, 2008, from http://www.bls.gov/news.release/disp.nr0.htm

This report presents data collected by the Employment and Training Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor on workers who were displaced from their jobs from 2005-2007. These surveys have been conducted biennially as supplements to the Current Population Survey (CPS), a monthly survey of households that is the primary source of information on the nation's labor force.

Unemployment

Statistic # 2380

A 2008 analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that "in October 2008, the unemployment rate for the aged 55 and older labor force was 4.5 percent, compared to 5.5 percent for those aged 25-54 and 6.5 percent for the labor force as a whole." Between September and October 2008, workers aged 55 and older and those aged 25-34 experienced the sharpest increases in unemployment, over 10 percent, compared to ages 35-44 and 45-54, for whom the rate of unemployment increased less than 4%. (p. 2)

Rix, S. E. (2008). The employment picture, October 2008--Mostly grim news for older and younger workers (Fact Sheet No. 148). Washington, DC: AARP Public Policy Institute. Retrieved from http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/econ/fs148_employment.pdf

Statistics in this report are from the labor force data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on November 7, 2008.

Unemployment

Statistic # 2337

According to a 2008 AARP survey of older workers, 78% of blue collar workers express confidence in their ability to secure re-employment after a job loss, compared to 75% of executives and professional workers, and 68% of other white-collar workers. Among workers who indicate a lack of confidence, most frequently cite their age as the main reason (36%), while 31% mention a tight labor market or the economy. (p. 41)

Groeneman, S. (2008). Staying ahead of the curve 2007: The AARP work and career study. Washington, D.C.: AARP. Retrieved from http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/econ/work_career_08.pdf

Interviews were completed for a nationally representative sample of workers ages 45 to 74, including those who are currently employed and those who are unemployed but looking for work. 1500 telephone interviews were conducted from April 13 through May 21, 2007. Additional interviews were completed with African Americans and Hispanics.

Unemployment

Statistic # 2336

According to a 2008 AARP survey of older workers, "nearly one in five older workers (19%) feel that it is either very likely (6%) or somewhat likely (13%) that their job will be eliminated within the next year. The comparable 2002 figures are 7% very likely and 16% somehwat likely." Concerns about job elimination are higher among older workers with annual household incomes of less than $30000 (31%), compared to those with incomes between $30-50,000 (24%), and incomes of $50,000 or more (14%). (p. 37)

Groeneman, S. (2008). Staying ahead of the curve 2007: The AARP work and career study. Washington, D.C.: AARP. Retrieved from http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/econ/work_career_08.pdf

Interviews were completed for a nationally representative sample of workers ages 45 to 74, including those who are currently employed and those who are unemployed but looking for work. 1500 telephone interviews were conducted from April 13 through May 21, 2007. Additional interviews were completed with African Americans and Hispanics.

Unemployment

Statistic # 2326

According to a 2004 analysis, workers 45 years or older represent 26% of the workforce but 35% of the long-term unemployed. (fig. 3, p. 5)




Heidkamp, M., & Van Horn, C. E. (2008). Older and out of work: Trends in older worker displacement (Issue Brief No. 16). Chestnut Hill, MA: The Sloan Center on Aging and Work at Boston College. Retrieved from http://agingandwork.bc.edu/documents/IB16_Older%20OutofWork.pdf

This 2008 issue brief examines the issue of unemployed older workers, covering the scope and impact of unemployment on older Americans.

Unemployment

Statistic # 2325

According to a 2006 Bureau of Labor Statistics report, reemployment rates for displaced workers who had been at their previous job for over three years were 75% for workers 25-54, 61% for workers 55-64, and 25% for workers who were 65 and older. (fig. 2, p. 3)




Heidkamp, M., & Van Horn, C. E. (2008). Older and out of work: Trends in older worker displacement (Issue Brief No. 16). Chestnut Hill, MA: The Sloan Center on Aging and Work at Boston College. Retrieved from http://agingandwork.bc.edu/documents/IB16_Older%20OutofWork.pdf

This 2008 issue brief examines the issue of unemployed older workers, covering the scope and impact of unemployment on older Americans.

Unemployment

Statistic # 2324

A study (2000) comparing dislocation rates by age between two time frames --1983-1987 and 1993-1997-- found that the proportion of older adults among displaced workers has increased over time. In the 1993-1997 time period, adults aged 45-54 comprised 25% of dislocated workers, compared to 18% of the same age group in 1983-87. In comparison, adults aged 25-34 represented 38% of dislocated workers in 1993-97, compared to 50% in 1983-87. (Fig. 1, p. 3)




Heidkamp, M., & Van Horn, C. E. (2008). Older and out of work: Trends in older worker displacement (Issue Brief No.16). Chestnut Hill, MA: The Sloan Center on Aging and Work at Boston College. Retrieved from http://agingandwork.bc.edu/documents/IB16_Older%20OutofWork.pdf

This Issue Brief examines the issue of unemployed older workers, covering the scope and impact of unemployment on older Americans.

Unemployment

Statistic # 2189

Among long-tenured workers (those who worked for their employer for more than 3 years) who were displaced during 2005-07, 18.6% of those aged 55-64 reported that they were no longer in the labor force in January 2008, while 22.1% reported that they were unemployed and 62.7% were employed. Among those 65 years and over, 66.7% were no longer in the labor force, 14.5 % were unemployed, and 18.8% were employed. (Table 8)

Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2008). Worker displacement, 2005-2007. Washington, DC: U. S. Department of Labor. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/disp_08202008.pdf

This report presents findings of the January 2008 survey conducted by the Employment and Training Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor has on workers who were displaced from their jobs. These surveys have been conducted biennially as supplements to the Current Population Survey (CPS), a monthly survey of households that is the primary source of information on the nation's labor force. The period covered in this study was 2005-07, the 3 calendar years prior to the January 2008 survey date.

Unemployment

Statistic # 2188

According to a 2008 Bureau of Labor Statistics survey on displaced workers, 22.8% of 20-24 year olds were unemployed, compared to 17.4% of 25-54 year olds, 20.7% of those ages 55-64, and 12.6% of those over 65. Of workers aged 65 and over, 69% reported that they were not in the labor force, compared to 18.5 of 55-64 year olds, 10.0% of 25-54 year olds, and 9.7% of 20-24 year olds. (Table 1)

Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2008). Worker displacement, 2005-2007. Washington, DC: U. S. Department of Labor. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/disp_08202008.pdf

This report presents findings of the January 2008 survey conducted by the Employment and Training Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor has on workers who were displaced from their jobs. These surveys have been conducted biennially as supplements to the Current Population Survey (CPS), a monthly survey of households that is the primary source of information on the nation's labor force. The period covered in this study was 2005-07, the 3 calendar years prior to the January 2008 survey date.

Unemployment

Statistic # 1956

According to a 2006 analysis of the Displaced Workers Survey, "wage losses tend to increase with age ..., with those 50 and over losing about a third of their real wage as a result of displacement." (p. 9)  In 2004 the average percentage decrease in real weekly earnings for workers who were displaced and then re-employed was 13.4% for ages 25-29, 16.3% for ages 30-34, 14.4% for ages 35-39, 30.7% for ages 40-44, 28.4% for ages 45-49, 37.2% for ages 50-54, 22.7% for ages 55-59, and 31.1% for ages 60-64. The only age group with an increase in income upon re-employment was 20-24, with an increase of 1.2%. (Table 4, p. 24)

Munnell, A. H., Sass, S., Soto, M., & Zhivan, N. (2006). Has the displacement of older workers increased? (Working Paper No. 17). Chestnut Hill, MA: Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. Retrieved from http://crr.bc.edu/images/stories/Working_Papers/wp_2006-17.pdf

This paper "explores the relationship between job loss and age over the period 1984-2004 using the biennial Displaced Worker Supplement to the Current Population Survey...The survey attempts to measure the incidence of job loss due to a shift in labor demand by asking workers whether they have been displaced for one of the following reasons: 1. their plant or company closed down or moved; 2. their company had insufficient work; 3. their position or shift was abolished; 4. a seasonal job was completed; 5. a self-operated business failed; 6. other reason."

Unemployment

Statistic # 1954

According to 2006 U.S. Census Bureau Statistics from the American Community Survey, the unemployment* rate is 3.6% for workers 75 and over, 3.8% for ages 55-74, 4.4% for ages 45-54, 5.6% for ages 25-44, 11.2% for ages 20-24, and 21.7% for ages 16-19. The overall unemployment rate for the U.S. population 16 years and over is 6.4%.
*Unemployed persons (1) were neither "at work" nor "with a job but not at work" during the reference week, and (2) were looking for work during the last 4 weeks, and (3) were available to start a job

U.S. Census Bureau. 2006 American Community Survey. Table S2301. United States - employment status. Retrieved May 01, 2008, from http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/STTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=01000US&-qr_name=ACS_2006_EST_G00_S2301&-ds_name=ACS_2006_EST_G00_&-_lang=en&-redoLog=false&-format=&-CONTEXT=st

The American Community Survey (ACS) is a nationwide survey conducted yearly among about three million households across every county in the nation. The ACS collects information such as age, race, income, commute time to work, home value, veteran status, and other important data from U.S. households.

Unemployment

Statistic # 1935

In a 2002 national survey conducted for AARP, 75% of respondents 45 and older "agree that inability to find a job would damage their self-esteem, far more than those (50%) who say that inability to find a mate or personal relationship would hurt their self-esteem." (p. 9)

RoperASW. (2002). Staying ahead of the curve: The AARP work and career study. Washington, DC: AARP. Retrieved March 9, 2008, from http://www.aarp.org/research/reference/publicopinions/aresearch-import-416.html

Staying Ahead of the Curve is based on a national survey conducted for AARP in May and June 2002 by RoperASW. 2,518 workers ages 45-74 were interviewed, including a representative national sample of 1,500 workers, as well as oversamples of African American, Hispanic and Asian American 45+ workers.

Unemployment

Statistic # 1795

According to the Urban Institute's analysis of HRS data from 1992-2004, 21% of respondents 51-55 were laid off at some point by the time they turned 62. Within this sample of older workers who had been laid off, 23% were without a high school degree, 21% were high school graduates, and 18% were college graduates. (Table 1, p. 16)

Johnson, R. W., Mermin, G., & Murphy, D. (2007). The impact of late-career health and employment shocks on social security and other wealth. Washington, DC: Urban Institute. Retrieved February 18, 2008 from http://www.urban.org/publications/411591.html

This report analyzed data from the Health and Retirement Survey from 1992 to 2004 using a sample of 2,829 adults.

Unemployment

Statistic # 1794

According to the Urban Institute's analysis of HRS data from 1992-2004, for participants aged 63-67, "layoffs reduce pension wealth in traditional employer-sponsored defined benefit plans by nearly $30,000 or 37.1% of the average growth in pension wealth" (p. vi)

Johnson, R. W., Mermin, G., & Murphy, D. (2007). The impact of late-career health and employment shocks on social security and other wealth. Washington, DC: Urban Institute. Retrieved February 18, 2008 from http://www.urban.org/publications/411591.html

This report analyzed data from the Health and Retirement Survey from 1992 to 2004 using a sample of 2,829 adults.

Unemployment

Statistic # 1793

According to the Urban Institute's analysis of HRS data from 1992-2004, for participants aged 63-67, "job layoffs reduce Social Security wealth accumulation by about $4,700, or 11.9% of the average increment between 1992 and 2004, after other factors are held constant." (p. vi)

Johnson, R. W., Mermin, G., & Murphy, D. (2007). The impact of late-career health and employment shocks on social security and other wealth. Washington, DC: Urban Institute. Retrieved February 18, 2008 from http://www.urban.org/publications/411591.html

This report analyzed data from the Health and Retirement Survey from 1992 to 2004 using a sample of 2,829 adults.

Unemployment

Statistic # 1789

According to a 2006 AARP report, 7.6% of the population 55 and older reporting that they wanted a job were "discouraged workers." (Discouraged workers "are men and women who say that they are available for work but are not seeking employment because they do not think work is available, think they lack the necessary schooling or training, fear that employers will think of them as being too old, or anticipate some other type of discrimination.") (p. 3)

Rix, S. E. (2006). Update on the aged 55+ worker: 2005 (Data Digest No. 136) Washington, DC: AARP Public Policy Institute. Retrieved February 10, 2008 from http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/econ/dd136_worker.pdf

This 2006 AARP report analyzed data from the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics on employment and earnings from January 2006.

Unemployment

Statistic # 1788

According to a 2006 AARP report, "just over 2% of the 41 million persons aged 55 and older who were not in the labor force in 2005 reported that they wanted a job, but only 30% of those who wanted a job had looked for work during the previous year." (p. 2)

Rix, S. E. (2006). Update on the aged 55+ worker: 2005 (Data Digest No. 136) Washington, DC: AARP Public Policy Institute. Retrieved February 10, 2008 from http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/econ/dd136_worker.pdf

This 2006 AARP report analyzed data from the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics on employment and earnings from January 2006.

Unemployment

Statistic # 1687

Using data from the Health and Retirement study, Maestas (2007)  found that retirees in their early 50s are about 20 percent more likely than older retirees to have retired involuntarily.

Maestas, Nicole. (2007, April). Back to work: Expectations and realizations of work after retirement. Rand Working Paper WR-196-2. Retrieved July 5, 2007 from http://www.rand.org/pubs/working_papers/2007/RAND_WR196-2.pdf

Data from the Health and Retirement Survey was used to track and date respondents’ transitions in and out of the labor force over time. The analysis sample of 7000 obervations was composed of members of the initial HRS cohort, who were first interviewed in 1992 when they were between the ages of 51 and 61, and their spouses. Respondents are re-interviewed every two years; therefore thefirst six waves yield data over the period 1992 through 2002.

Unemployment

Statistic # 1135

According to a Congressional Research Service report on unemployment and older workers, "the percentage of Americans who report unemployment compensation income declines from 5.1% for ages 35-44 to 1.0% by ages 65-69." (p.19)

U.S. Congressional Research Service. The Library of Congress: Issues in Aging: Unemployment and Older Workers (RL32757; Jan. 31, 2005), by Julie Whittaker. Text in CRS Web. Retrieved September 10, 2006, from http://www.opencrs.com/rpts/RL32757_20050131.pdf

"This report examines how unemployment has a different impact on the older worker. As workers age, negative--but previously temporary--events such as unemployment may push otherwise firmly entrenched workers out of the labor force. While older workers are less likely than others to experience a spell of unemployment, those older workers who do experience unemployment have a higher incidence of withdrawing from the labor market."

Unemployment

Statistic # 1131

According to a Congressional Research Service report, in 2003, 4.8% of prime-age (35-54 years of age) workers were unemployed on average. Older workers continued to have a lower rate of unemployment: 3.9% for those aged 55-64 and 3.6% for those 65 and older." (p.4)                                                

 "This study defines unemployment as 'the ratio of those workers who did not have a job but had searched for a job in the previous four weeks to all workers in the labor market (either searching or employed)."(p.4)



U.S. Congressional Research Service. The Library of Congress: Issues in Aging: Unemployment and Older Workers (RL32757; Jan. 31, 2005), by Julie Whittaker. Text in CRS Web. Retrieved September 10, 2006, from http://www.opencrs.com/rpts/RL32757_20050131.pdf

"This report examines how unemployment has a different impact on the older worker. As workers age, negative--but previously temporary--events such as unemployment may push otherwise firmly entrenched workers out of the labor force. While older workers are less likely than others to experience a spell of unemployment, those older workers who do experience unemployment have a higher incidence incidence of withdrawing from the labor market."

Unemployment

Statistic # 409

Approximately 20.5% of persons between age 55 and 64 who did not work in 1999 were poor at that time.

Approximately 11.1% of persons between age 65 and above who did not work in 1999 were poor at that time.



AARP. (2002, May). Beyond 50: summary tables and charts. Research report. (Table: Employment). Washington, DC: Gist, J., Figueiredo, C., & Ng-Baumhackl, M. Retrieved July 15, 2005, from http://www.aarp.org/research/reference/statistics/aresearch-import-298.html



"Through its analysis of both the status quo and developing trends, Beyond 50: A Report to the Nation on Economic Security provides readers with an in-depth look at the well-being of more than one-quarter of Americans - the 76 million people age 50 and older in 2000."

Unemployment

Statistic # 1796

According to January 2006 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "re-employment rates for workers ages 20 to 24 and ages 25 to 54 were 66 and 75 percent, respectively. Re-employment rates were slightly lower for older workers ages 55 to 64 (61 per-cent). Among those age 65 years and older, by contrast, only 25 percent were re-employed; 64 percent of that group were no longer in the labor force when surveyed."




Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2006). Displaced workers summary. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved February 14, 2008 from http://www.bls.gov/news.release/disp.nr0.htm 

The Employment and Training Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor has sponsored surveys that collect information on workers who were displaced from their jobs. These surveys have been conducted biennially as supplements to the Current Population Survey (CPS), a monthly survey of households that is the primary source of information on the nation's labor force.

Unemployment

Statistic # 1797

"While workers aged 45 and older make up 27 percent of all the nation's unemployed, they represent 37 percent of the long-term jobless," [longer than 26 weeks] according to analysis of 2006-2007 Bureau of Labor Statistics data by researchers at the National Employment Law Project.




Emsellem, M., & Semidey, O. (2008). Federal jobless benefits will stimulate the economy while helping over three million jobless families who will run out of state benefits this year. New York: National Employment Law Project. Retrieved February 18, 2008 from http://www.nelp.org/docUploads/UIExtension.pdf

Researchers at the National Employment Law Project analyzed 2006-2007 data collected by the U.S. Department of Labor concerning long-term unemployment; that is, unemployment beyond the 26 weeks of benefit coverage.

Unemployment

Statistic # 1930

Based on a 2005 analysis of data from the Displaced Workers Survey, "one academic year of community college retraining raises older males' earnings--those 35 or older--by about 7 percent and older females' earnings by about 10 percent." ...If the coursework included quantitative vocational or academic subject areas, "such retraining increased the long-term quarterly earnings of older male displaced workers by about 10 percent. Among women, the gains were larger." (p. 59)

Jacobson, L. S., LaLonde, R., & Sullivan, D. (2005). Is retraining displaced workers a good investment? Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Economic Perspectives, 29(2), 47-66. Retrieved from http://www.chicagofed.org/publications/economicperspectives/ep_2qtr2005_part5_jacobson_lalonde_sullivan.pdf

This article examines the consequences of worker dislocation and the potential of retraining policy to ameliorate these effects. Authors analyzed data from the Displaced Workers Survey (DWS), which is part of the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey.

Unemployment

Statistic # 1929

In a 2005 report on an analysis of Displaced Worker Survey data, the authors found that "otherwise comparable workers with 20 years of tenure tend to find jobs that pay, on average, between 20 percent and 40 percent less than their old job." (p. 48)

Jacobson, L. S., LaLonde, R., & Sullivan, D. (2005). Is retraining displaced workers a good investment? Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Economic Perspectives, 29(2), 47-66. Retrieved from http://www.chicagofed.org/publications/economicperspectives/ep_2qtr2005_part5_jacobson_lalonde_sullivan.pdf

This article examines the consequences of worker dislocation and the potential of retraining policy to ameliorate these effects. Authors refer to their prior analysis of data from the biennial Displaced Workers Survey, which is part of the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey.

Unemployment

Statistic # 1923

According to a 2006 analysis of Health and Retirement Study data from 1992-2004, among discouraged workers* aged 50 and over who still said they wanted a job but were no longer searching, only 6 percent mentioned that they perceived age discrimination to be a factor. (p. 26)
*(i.e., someone willing to work at the prevailing wage but unable to find a job)

Maestas, N., & Li, X. (2006). Discouraged workers? Job search outcomes of older workers. (Working Paper No. 133). Ann Arbor, MI: Michigan Retirement Research Center, University of Michigan. Retrieved December 3, 2007 from http://www.mrrc.isr.umich.edu/publications/Papers/pdf/wp133.pdf

In the context of a theoretical job search model, the researchers examine the decision to search for a job and the probability of transitioning to employment using a large sample of non-workers from the Health and Retirement Study (32,829), a longitudinal survey of Americans age 50 and older.

Unemployment

Statistic # 1922

Based on a 2006 analysis of HRS data from 1992-2004, it is estimated "that about 13 percent of older jobseekers eventually becomes a discouraged worker (i.e., someone willing to work at the prevailing wage but unable to find a job)." (p. 27)

Maestas, N., & Li, X. (2006). Discouraged workers? Job search outcomes of older workers. (Working Paper No. 133). Ann Arbor, MI: Michigan Retirement Research Center, University of Michigan. Retrieved December 3, 2007 from http://www.mrrc.isr.umich.edu/publications/Papers/pdf/wp133.pdf

In the context of a theoretical job search model, the researchers examine the decision to search for a job and the probability of transitioning to employment using a large sample of non-workers from the Health and Retirement Study (32,829), a longitudinal survey of Americans age 50 and older.

Unemployment

Statistic # 1921

According to a 2006 analysis of Health and Retirement Study data from 1992-2004, "among discouraged workers* [aged 50 and over] 39% reported that they have a work-limiting health problem... In contrast, among unemployed older workers who succeeded in getting a job, 22% said they had a work limiting health problem." (p. 25)
*(i.e., "someone willing to work at the prevailing wage but unable to find a job")

Maestas, N., & Li, X. (2006). Discouraged workers? Job search outcomes of older workers. (Working Paper No. 133). Ann Arbor, MI: Michigan Retirement Research Center, University of Michigan. Retrieved December 3, 2007 from http://www.mrrc.isr.umich.edu/publications/Papers/pdf/wp133.pdf

In the context of a theoretical job search model, the researchers examine the decision to search for a job and the probability of transitioning to employment using a large sample of non-workers from the Health and Retirement Study (32,829), a longitudinal survey of Americans age 50 and older.

Unemployment

Statistic # 1920

According to a 2006 analysis of Health and Retirement Study data for people over 50 from 1992-2004, 12% of "searchers" were still searching for a job 2 years later. "Another 14% still wanted a job, though they were no longer searching, and 24% no longer wanted nor were searching for a job." (p. 22)

Maestas, N., & Li, X. (2006). Discouraged workers? Job search outcomes of older workers. (Working Paper No. 133). Ann Arbor, MI: Michigan Retirement Research Center, University of Michigan. Retrieved December 3, 2007 from http://www.mrrc.isr.umich.edu/publications/Papers/pdf/wp133.pdf

In the context of a theoretical job search model, the researchers examine the decision to search for a job and the probability of transitioning to employment using a large sample of non-workers from the Health and Retirement Study (32,829), a longitudinal survey of Americans age 50 and older.

Unemployment

Statistic # 1919

According to a 2006 analysis of Health and Retirement Study data from 1992-2004, "40.1% of retired job-searchers [aged 50 and over] transitioned to employment within two years, compared with 52.4% of non-retired searchers...In both the retired and non-retired samples, transition rates were higher for those searching for full-time work than for those searching for part-time work." (p. 7)

Maestas, N., & Li, X. (2006). Discouraged workers? Job search outcomes of older workers. (Working Paper No. 133). Ann Arbor, MI: Michigan Retirement Research Center, University of Michigan. Retrieved December 3, 2007 from http://www.mrrc.isr.umich.edu/publications/Papers/pdf/wp133.pdf

In the context of a theoretical job search model, the researchers examine the decision to search for a job and the probability of transitioning to employment using a large sample of non-workers from the Health and Retirement Study (32,829), a longitudinal survey of Americans age 50 and older.

Unemployment

Statistic # 1908

Among unemployed individuals in 2001 who reported having access to the Internet, age differences in the tendency to use the Internet to search for jobs are only minor.  For example, 67.7% of unemployed individuals aged 30-35 reported using the Internet for their job search, compared to 68.2% for those aged 40-45 and 71.2% of those aged 50-55. (Table 2, p. 6)

Stevenson, B. (2008). The internet and job search (Working Paper No. 13886). Cambridge, MA: National Bureau of Economic Research. Retrieved April 8, 2008, from http://papers.nber.org/papers/W13886 

This report examines "Internet-based job search using data from the 1998, 2001, and 2003 CPS Computer and Internet Use Supplements."

Unemployment

Statistic # 316

Approximately 50.9% of the 127,000 displaced workers with tenures of at least 3 years age 65 and above lost their jobs because of plant or company closings or moves. 28.1% of them lost their jobs because of slack / insufficient work. 21% of them lost their jobs because their positions or shifts were abolished. By 2002, 19.8% were employed again, 20.7% were unemployed and 59.5% were not in the labor force.

U.S. Census Bureau. (2005). U.S. Census Bureau, statistical abstract of the United States: 2004-2005. Labor force, employment, and earnings. (Section 12, Table 594, p. 384). Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 15, 2005, from http://www.census.gov/prod/www/statistical-abstract-2001_2005.html

"This section presents statistics on the labor force; its distribution by occupation and industry affiliation; and the supply of, demand for, and conditions of labor. The chief source of these data is the Current Population Survey (CPS) conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)."