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The following is a Guest Post by: Grace Frenson


Today’s workforce comprises a huge proportion of aging people above 65 years according to AARP. This trend is hugely attributed to factors such as removal of default age retirement age, increased life expectancy and raised the state pension age, among others. This indicates that people’s appetite for work continues to grow despite their old age.

So why on earth would old people stick to formal employment, or even head back after retirement? What’s the reason for this? 

Let’s find out!

Why Elderly People Are Still In Employment

There might not be a one size fits all answer to this question. There is a wide range of reasons behind this. Indeed, the reasons are shockingly endless. However, the most obvious one is…

Money

Some older people fear the burden of bills after retirement, and that’s why they choose to stick on. 

Others have filled their retirement accounts with millions of dollars and could retire just comfortably when the time comes. But, they can’t stand the idea of bringing their regular income to a stop. They basically want to make hay while the sun shines. 

For others still, all the while they have been saving for retirement from age 20 to 65 or so. They have been building their nest egg. Then they retire ultimately! 

Well, many can’t stand this idea. Honestly, it freaks the old men out. They can’t stand to see their nest egg gradually getting depleted.

Boredom

When people are planning for retirement, they simply take it easy. They think they will read all the books, play all the golf, or keep to light hustles to help them navigate the solitude.

Well, they may even try these the first months after retirement, but they finally get bored and go back to regular work.

Desire to Stay Fit

Some old people like to stay fit always. They can’t imagine life after retirement without physical activities. A study by the American Journal of Epidemiology reveals that retired people are 51% more likely to die than those of the same age in regular work.
The reason cannot be far from the fact that when you retire, your body retires as well and is no longer engaged as accustomed.

Social life 

Older people get along well with the masses. A place of work offers that opportunity where they can make new friends and interact with several people daily. 

When such people think of retirement, they simply can endure a life of solitude. That’s why some older people stick to their employers just to stay around people. 

There is a variety of interventions that are meant to protect the aging workforce. Older people ought to know them so as to enforce their protection whether for health & safety or legal benefits. 

There are: 

Occupational Safety and Health Protections

Many states have specific laws that extend OSHA or equivalent health and safety protection to state both private and state employees. This requirement demands that employers comply with safety standards and provide an environment free from hazards that can potentially cause death or serious physical harm. 

As an older worker, you ought to ensure that your employer offers a health and safety environment. If for instance, the working conditions pose any risk to on the account of old age, raise an alarm or quit altogether.  

Age Discrimination

According to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of the U.S, retirement policies are unlawful unless public safety is implicated. Also, your employer cannot reduce or terminate your benefits on account of age.

To qualify for protection against age discrimination, aged workers ought to demonstrate competence at works just as their younger counterparts. 

Workers’ Compensation

In the unfortunate event that you are injured at the place work, workers’ compensation programs provide medical benefits for both acute and partial injuries.  

There has been a tussle between employers and workers on these benefits and that’s why you need to engage workers compensation lawyers to push for your benefits. Lack of these benefits may adversely affect the economic situation of aging or disabled worker, who cannot get alternative employment due to their state of health. 

Health Insurance

Although the US doesn’t provide universal health care to its citizens, older working Americans are offered health insurance coverage as part of an employer’s compensation package. Some employers offer their staff continuous health insurance even after retirement. 

Health insurance is essential for workers who are beyond middle age but not yet eligible for Medicare. 

Although the aged people in the active workforce are likely to have health insurance, the consequences of lack of insurance can create significant risks both economically and health-wise. This is because the cost of health for older people has really increased. 

The rising importance of health insurance to older working Americans has led to an explosion of both public and private health insurance systems to ensure that this segment of the population is well covered. 

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

This is not an income replacement program but it can provide an important income boost through direct cash benefits to low-wage earners. 

The EITC program is suitable and beneficial to older workers who can’t stay inactive employment but don’t want to quit the labor market.