Click here for a full transcript of the episode.

According to the US Census Bureau, by 2030, all baby boomers will be older than 65, which means one in every five Americans will be of retirement age. Many of these older adults are choosing to remain in or return to the workforce; the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that workers age 65-74 will make up almost 11% of the labor force by 2031, up from 9% in 2021.

Financial necessity is often a factor, but it’s not the only reason older adults keep working. Purpose, social engagement, and mental stimulation are top motivators for older workers, and for many, work is a core part of who they are.

Older workers bring decades of institutional knowledge, industry insight, and emotional intelligence to the workplace. Companies that tap into this talent pool often see stronger team cohesion and better decision making, and older employees tend to stay longer in their roles. The silver workforce is not a burden—they’re a bonus.

In this episode’s listener question, we’re asked how to help employees continue to apply concepts after a training program ends. In the news, work culture in the US can vary regionally and by industry.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Purple Ink
• Susan Tinder White Consulting
• ”Older People Projected to Outnumber Children for First Time in U.S. History”
• ”Employment Projections – 2023-2033”
• ”Working Better with Age”
• ”Age Discrimination Continues to Hold Older Workers Back”
• ”Study: Cities Where People Work the Longest Hours”
• SHRM credit evaluation – the SHRM credit code for this episode will expire on September 8, 2026
• JoyPowered® Patreon Page
• JoyPowered® on LinkedIn
• JoyPowered® on Instagram
• Email JoyPowered®

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