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May 26, 2006

Enjoying the Golden Work Years

This Perspective offers additional insight into work at older ages. Data from the 2002 Health and Retirement Study (HRS)1 are used to examine job characteristics and attitudes about work among adults age 60 and older and to explore whether richer and poorer workers differ. Findings include substantial increases in the number of working adults who report being selfemployed as age increases. Also, adults working past their normal retirement age of 65 say they enjoy work even more than workers age 60 to 64. Also, remarkably few differences in attitudes about work exist across the income scale. The results suggest that the vast majority of adults working at older ages feel satisfied with their work. More knowledge about these workers, their job characteristics, and their outlook on work could provide guidance for policymakers seeking to extend work lives.

Posted by Gary Holden at May 26, 2006 8:33 AM