Curiously, I don't see employers adjusting to this so-called need to keep older workers working longer. If it's so important, why isn't anything done to make this option more attractive?

If our knowledge and experience is so valuable as we age, then why are older workers often overlooked for new challenging work opportunities and promotions? Why are older workers' efforts to change jobs and to do something different and more challenging usually met with indifference and closed doors?

And if older workers can't get promotions or new work opportunities, then why, at the very least, aren't they allowed to cut back on the number of hours per day or days per week that they have to work? If econonists, governments and big business want to keep older workers from retiring at 55, then why aren't they doing anything to make postponing retirement more attractive?

What are your ideas about this? What would make you postpone your retirement? What would make it easier for you to work past 55 or 60? What do you think should be done to accommodate older workers who are willing to postpone their retirement?

[ 19 February 2005: Message edited by: Jumble ]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jumble:
Economists and business executives just say retirement costs too much.

---

That's a switch. When I was downsized the rationale was that keeping us working cost too much.