According to analysis of the National Study of the Changing Workforce, "workers, 50 or older, are significantly more likely than younger workers to be independent self-employed workers (17 percent of older workers vs. 12 percent of younger workers) or small business owners (9 percent of older workers vs. 5 percent of younger workers) and thus, less likely than younger workers to be wage and salaried employees who work for someone else (74 percent of older workers vs. 83 percent of younger workers).” (fig. 1, p.2)

Bond, T. J., Galinsky, M. E., Pitt-Catsouphes, M., & Smyer, M. (2005). Context matters: Insights about older workers from the national study of the changing workforce. Chestnut Hill, MA: Center on Aging & Work/Workplace Flexibility. Retrieved July 31, 2006 from http://agingandwork.bc.edu/documents/RH01_InsightOlderWorker.pdf

“This report is the first in a series of Research Highlights published by the Center on Aging & Work/Workplace Flexibility in collaboration with the Families and Work Institute that present the findings of in-depth analyses of the Families and Work Institute’s 2002 National Study of the Changing Workforce (NSCW). This first issue compares the personal characteristics, employment experiences, and attitudes of workers, 50 or more years old, who are wage and salaried employees, independent self-employed workers, and small business owners…The National Study of the Changing Workforce (NSCW) is conducted every five years. It surveys large samples of the U.S. workforce to collect information about both the work and personal lives of U.S. workers.”