--- title: "Why Workers Over 55 Now Make Up Nearly a Quarter of the US…" canonical: "https://www.metaintro.com/blog/why-workers-over-55-make-up-nearly-quarter-us-workforce" language: "en" author: "drashtigarach" published: "2026-06-01T12:31:38.000Z" modified: "2026-06-01T12:59:29.560Z" --- [Back to Blog](/blog) [Labor Market](/blog/tag/labor-market)[Jobs](/blog/tag/jobs)[Career](/blog/tag/career)[Economy](/blog/tag/economy)[News](/blog/tag/news)[Information](/blog/tag/information) # Why Workers Over 55 Now Make Up Nearly a Quarter of the US Workforce Workers over 55 now make up nearly a quarter of the US workforce, about 23.2 percent. Learn why people are working longer and how to stay hireable past 55. [![Drashti Garach](https://cdn.metaintro.com/rs:fill:40:40/q:72/plain/images/5719d740-e510-42bc-8017-e040d145f35f_1766029465094.png)Drashti Garach @DrashtiGarach](/blog/author/drashtigarach) [June 1, 2026](/blog/archive/2026/06)12 min read ![Why Workers Over 55 Now Make Up Nearly a Quarter of the US Workforce](https://cdn.metaintro.com/rs:fill:1200:675/q:78/plain/images/kai.sSHcPhMZ.png) [https://x.com/intent/tweet?text=Why%20Workers%20Over%2055%20Now%20Make%20Up%20Nearly%20a%20Quarter%20of%20the%20US%20Workforce&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Fwhy-workers-over-55-make-up-nearly-quarter-us-workforce](https://x.com/intent/tweet?text=Why%20Workers%20Over%2055%20Now%20Make%20Up%20Nearly%20a%20Quarter%20of%20the%20US%20Workforce&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Fwhy-workers-over-55-make-up-nearly-quarter-us-workforce)[http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Fwhy-workers-over-55-make-up-nearly-quarter-us-workforce](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Fwhy-workers-over-55-make-up-nearly-quarter-us-workforce)[https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Fwhy-workers-over-55-make-up-nearly-quarter-us-workforce&title=Why%20Workers%20Over%2055%20Now%20Make%20Up%20Nearly%20a%20Quarter%20of%20the%20US%20Workforce](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Fwhy-workers-over-55-make-up-nearly-quarter-us-workforce&title=Why%20Workers%20Over%2055%20Now%20Make%20Up%20Nearly%20a%20Quarter%20of%20the%20US%20Workforce)[mailto:?subject=Why%20Workers%20Over%2055%20Now%20Make%20Up%20Nearly%20a%20Quarter%20of%20the%20US%20Workforce&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Fwhy-workers-over-55-make-up-nearly-quarter-us-workforce](mailto:?subject=Why%20Workers%20Over%2055%20Now%20Make%20Up%20Nearly%20a%20Quarter%20of%20the%20US%20Workforce&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Fwhy-workers-over-55-make-up-nearly-quarter-us-workforce) Workers over 55 now make up nearly a quarter of the United States workforce, with this age group reaching 23.2% of all workers according to a recent report from career resource [MyPerfectResume](https://www.myperfectresume.com/) highlighted by industry outlet [HR Dive](https://www.hrdive.com/news/people-over-55-in-workforce-increasing-study/821467/). The same research found the share of workers over 65 has grown by more than 40%. This is one of the biggest stories in the labor market right now, and it changes the math for everyone planning a career. At [Metaintro](https://www.metaintro.com), we track these shifts so you can see where the job market is heading and plan your next move with confidence rather than guesswork. ## What Is Actually Driving This Demographic Shift? The rise of older workers is not a single trend. It is several forces arriving at once. Americans are living longer and staying healthier, which means more people can keep working productively into their late 60s and beyond. According to the [Pew Charitable Trusts](https://www.pew.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2025/08/04/more-us-residents-are-working-past-retirement-age), a growing share of residents aged 65 and older are continuing to work past the traditional retirement age. Better health and longer lifespans have stretched the working years that used to end at 65. Money is the other major driver. A [University of Michigan](https://www.umich.edu/) poll found that nearly 78% of older workers cited financial stability as the main reason they keep working. Rising living costs, healthcare expenses, and longer retirements have made savings stretch thinner than they once did. The [Northwestern Mutual](https://news.northwesternmutual.com/2026-04-01-Americans-Believe-They-Will-Need-1-46-Million-to-Retire-Comfortably,-Up-More-Than-15-Since-Last-Year,-According-to-Northwestern-Mutual-2026-Planning-Progress-Study) 2026 Planning and Progress Study reported that Americans now believe they will need 1.46 million dollars to retire comfortably, a figure up more than 15% in a single year. When the target keeps moving, working a few extra years becomes a practical choice rather than a fallback. Purpose plays a role too. Many older workers say their jobs keep them mentally sharp and socially connected. The takeaway is that working past 55 is increasingly normal, and it reflects choices and circumstances that millions of people share. ## How Big Is the Over-65 Surge, Really? The 40% growth in the over-65 share is the headline number, and it points to a deeper structural change. Government data backs up the trend. The [U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/) reports that in 2024 about 19 percent of people age 65 and older participated in the labor force, a rate that has climbed steadily since the mid-1990s. For the 55 to 64 group, participation sat at roughly 65.9%, meaning most people in their late 50s and early 60s are still very much working. The trend is projected to continue at the oldest end of the age range. BLS analysis has projected that the number of people 75 and older in the labor force will grow significantly through 2030, even as participation for some younger-old groups levels off. In other words, the boundary of working age keeps moving outward. People who once expected to retire at 62 or 65 are now planning for 67, 70, or no firm end date at all. For job seekers, the practical signal is clear. Employers are already working alongside large numbers of experienced colleagues, and the presence of seasoned talent in the workforce is the new normal rather than the exception. That context matters when you are weighing whether your age helps or hurts your candidacy. ## Does Ageism Still Make It Harder to Get Hired? This is the question on many minds, and the honest answer is that bias has not disappeared. Survey work from [AARP](https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/work-finances-retirement/employers-workforce/age-discrimination-workplace/) found that about 64% of workers age 50 and older reported seeing or experiencing age discrimination at work, a share that held steady year over year. The job search is where it shows up most sharply. AARP found that 37% of workers 50 and older experienced subtle forms of age discrimination during a job search, up from 30% the year before. The perception gap is just as telling. When older workers consider changing jobs, 74% believe their age will be seen as a barrier by a hiring manager, including 42% who view it as a major barrier. Some of the most common subtle biases include assuming older employees are less comfortable with technology or more resistant to change. These assumptions are often wrong, but they shape first impressions before an interview even begins. Recognizing the bias is the first step to neutralizing it. The goal is not to deny that ageism exists. It is to take the levers that you control, your skills, your story, and your network, and use them to make the bias irrelevant. The sections below break down exactly how. ## Which Industries Hire the Most Workers Over 55? Not every field treats experience the same way, and knowing where seasoned talent is in demand helps you point your search at the openings most likely to convert. Healthcare stands out. A [U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/) spotlight on healthcare occupations found that personal care aides, at 33 percent, medical records specialists, at 30 percent, and physicians, at 28 percent, all had large shares of workers age 55 and older. That same sector is set to keep expanding. BLS projects that healthcare and social assistance will see the fastest job growth and add the most jobs of any sector through 2034, which means steady demand for experienced hands. Education and the public sector are two more reliable landing spots. Schools, universities, and government agencies tend to value tenure, institutional knowledge, and stability, and they often pair those roles with strong benefits that matter more as retirement nears. Consulting and advisory work is another natural fit, because clients are effectively paying for years of pattern recognition that a newcomer simply cannot offer. The common thread across these fields is that they reward judgment and reliability, qualities that compound with experience rather than fade. The practical move is to study where your background already overlaps with growing demand. If you have spent years in operations, finance, care work, or training, there is very likely a corner of a high-growth sector that prizes exactly that history. Aiming your applications at those corners turns your age from a perceived liability into a clear asset. ## What This Means for Your Career? If you are over 55, the data is on your side more than the headlines suggest. You are part of a growing, valued segment of the workforce, and employers increasingly need the institutional knowledge and judgment that experience brings. The challenge is positioning, not value. Your job is to make sure a hiring manager sees a current, energetic professional rather than a stereotype. Start by auditing your skills against current job postings in your field. If a tool, platform, or certification keeps appearing in listings, close that gap with a short course or a hands-on project. Demonstrated fluency with current tools quietly dismantles the assumption that experience means falling behind. Keep your accomplishments recent and specific on your applications, leading with results from the last few years rather than a full career history. Equally important is the speed and focus of your search. Apply to roles that genuinely match your strengths rather than spreading yourself thin. A targeted search that highlights measurable wins almost always outperforms a scattershot approach. Tools like [Metaintro](https://www.metaintro.com) can help you spot where demand is rising and where your experience commands a premium, so your energy goes toward the openings most likely to convert. ## How Is Technology Changing the Game for Older Workers? Technology is often framed as a threat to experienced workers, but the reality is more balanced. New tools are reshaping roles rather than wiping them out, and that distinction matters for anyone worried about staying relevant. [Lacey Kaelani](https://www.metaintro.com), CEO of [Metaintro](https://www.metaintro.com), told [People Managing People](https://peoplemanagingpeople.com/workforce-management/ai-layoffs/) that "AI is not completely eliminating roles, but instead restructuring roles and therefore slowing hiring for some jobs." For older workers, that restructuring is an opening as much as a risk. The advantage experienced professionals hold is judgment. Knowing which problems are worth solving, how to manage relationships, and how to navigate ambiguity are skills that new tools cannot replicate. Pairing that judgment with comfortable use of modern tools makes a candidate genuinely hard to replace. The workers who thrive are the ones who treat new technology as another instrument in a deep toolkit rather than a rival. The practical move is to stay curious. You do not need to become a specialist in every new platform. You need enough fluency to use the tools your field relies on and enough confidence to speak about them in an interview. That combination signals adaptability, which is exactly the quality that quiets age-related doubts. ## How Are Phased Retirement and Unretirement Reshaping the Endgame? The clean break at 65 is fading, and two related trends are taking its place. The first is phased retirement, where workers wind down gradually through reduced hours or a lighter workload instead of stopping all at once. The second is unretirement, where people who already left the workforce decide to come back. According to [AARP](https://www.aarp.org/press/releases/2026-02-05-high-costs-older-americans-back-to-work.html), 7% of retirees had returned to work in the six months before its February 2026 survey, up from 6% the prior summer, and 48% of those who came back said making money was their main reason. Among people 50 and older who are working or job hunting, 41% pointed to everyday living costs. Policy is nudging this shift along. The Social Security full retirement age finishes its decades-long climb to 67 in 2026 for people born in 1960 or later, the last step of a schedule set by the 1983 amendments to account for longer life expectancies. A later full retirement age gives many people a financial reason to stay on the job a little longer, since waiting can mean a larger monthly benefit. The result is a workforce where the exit ramp is longer and more flexible than it used to be. For job seekers, this is good news. Returning to work or easing out slowly is now common enough that hiring managers see it regularly, which takes some of the stigma out of a resume gap or a part-time preference. Framing a phased plan as deliberate, rather than apologizing for it, signals confidence. If you want flexibility, name it early and connect it to the value you will deliver in the hours you do work. ## How Is the Leadership Picture Shifting at the Top? The aging workforce is not just a story about entry-level and mid-career roles. It reaches the executive suite too. An April 2026 report from the [National Bureau of Economic Research](https://www.nber.org/) found that the age at which CEOs are appointed jumped by roughly 10 years between 2000 and 2023. Companies are increasingly turning to seasoned leaders for the top job, a sign that experience is gaining value at the highest levels. At the same time, the generational mix below the top is shifting fast. According to [U.S. Department of Labor](https://www.dol.gov/) data, Generation Z surpassed baby boomers in the workforce for the first time in late 2023, and millennials combined with Gen Z now make up more than half of all workers. The result is a workplace that spans more generations than ever, with experienced leaders steering teams made up largely of younger colleagues. For older professionals, this dual trend is encouraging. The path upward has not closed. If anything, the appetite for proven leadership is rising. The professionals who can bridge generations, mentoring younger colleagues while staying current themselves, are positioned to be exactly what modern organizations are looking for. ## How Can You Stay Hireable Long Past 55? Staying hireable is a habit, not a one-time fix. The first pillar is continuous skill refresh. Set aside time each quarter to learn something that appears in the job listings you would want, whether that is a software platform, a methodology, or an industry certification. Small, steady investments compound and keep your profile current. The second pillar is your network. Many roles are filled through relationships before they are ever posted publicly, which makes a warm network one of the most powerful tools an experienced worker has. Stay in touch with former colleagues, reconnect with people you respect, and offer help before you need it. A network that knows your recent work keeps your name in the room when a relevant opening appears. The third pillar is your story. Frame your experience as momentum rather than history. Lead with what you have accomplished lately and how you intend to contribute next, not just where you have been. Resources like [Metaintro](https://www.metaintro.com) can help you read the market, identify where your background is in demand, and time your move so you are negotiating from a position of strength rather than urgency. ## People Also Asked ### Q: What percentage of the US workforce is over 55? A: Workers over 55 now make up about 23.2% of the US workforce, or nearly a quarter, according to a MyPerfectResume report. The share of workers over 65 has grown by more than 40% in recent years, making older workers one of the fastest-expanding segments of the labor market. ### Q: Why are more Americans working past retirement age? A: The main reasons are financial stability, longer and healthier lifespans, and a desire to stay engaged. Surveys show a large majority of older workers cite financial reasons, including rising living and healthcare costs, while many also say work keeps them mentally sharp and gives them a sense of purpose. ### Q: How can workers over 55 avoid age discrimination in hiring? A: Focus on what you control. Keep your skills current with the tools that appear in job postings, lead your applications with recent and measurable results, and lean on your professional network, since many roles are filled through relationships. A targeted, confident search does more to counter bias than trying to hide your experience. Stay ahead of the market with [Metaintro](https://www.metaintro.com), AI-powered career intelligence delivered weekly. 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