Improving Economic Opportunity for Older Workers
Upjohn Author ORCID Identifier
Publication Date
1-19-2022
Abstract
Families can achieve a more secure retirement by working longer. Spending more years in the workforce provides additional time to save for retirement, allows workers to boost their Social Security checks through delayed claiming, and fosters social and intellectual stimulation that some lose after retirement. In order to work longer, however, older workers must have access to good employment opportunities, either by keeping their existing jobs or by moving to a new job—a task that has becoming increasingly difficult in the wake of the pandemic and attendant labor market downturn.
In this webinar, leading labor experts discuss challenges to work at older ages—including discrimination, access to training, and locating a suitable job—while also proposing promising policy reforms. The webinar is divided into two panels. The first panel, moderated by Brookings Senior Fellow Martin Baily, features former Acting Labor Secretary Seth Harris and University of California, Irvine Economics Professor David Neumark. The second panel, moderated by Kellogg School of Management Professor Ben Harris, features Upjohn Institute Research Director Susan Houseman and Harvard University Research Associate Beth Truesdale.
Issue Date
November 19, 2020
Subject Areas
LABOR MARKET ISSUES
Citation
Baily, Martin Neil, Seth D. Harris, David Neumark, Ben Harris, Susan N. Houseman, and Beth C. Truesdale. 2020. "Improving Economic Opportunity for Older Workers." Presented at a webinar sponsored by The Brookings Institution on November 19, 2020.