Why so many Americans over 80 are still working

When a woman in her 80s rang up my $2 bottle of water at a grocery store in San Francisco, she couldn't have known I was right in the middle of a work project that had already changed my life.

The two-minute exchange at the cash register came in the middle of a yearlong reporting effort. I had wanted to find out why so many people 80 and older work long past retirement age.

Along the way, I found out a lot about myself, too.

That day at the grocery store, other customers waited impatiently behind me, so our conversation was brief. She told me she was working because costs everywhere were rising so quickly. As I walked out the door, she said something that stuck with me. It only strengthened my resolve to keep writing:

No one ever wants to know about us, she said.

I did. And over the past year, I've written more than a dozen feature stories for my "80-over-80" series for Business Insider. It became apparent during my reporting that older people were accustomed to being ignored — by employers, by their families, and by researchers. So many wanted to tell their stories that the project outgrew its name: I've spoken to nearly 200 of America's over-80 workers.

They're part of a group that's the fastest-growing segment of the labor force: Americans 75 and older are twice as likely to be in the workforce now as they were in the early 1990s, and the trend is expected to continue growing as pensions weaken and Social Security is projected to be depleted. As of 2023, nearly 550,000 people were working into their 80s and beyond, according to our analysis of Census data — more than 4% of the population over 80.

As a 24-year-old journalist wanting to cover these older workers, I heard, "You won't understand" or "You're too young." The more I wrote, the more people I found who would speak candidly — because someone was finally listening.

The people who shared their stories and expertise trusted a reporter two years out of college. They discussed their finances, anxieties, health conditions, and life outlooks. The conversations made me rethink how I speak about aging. I found myself trying to learn more about the older people I encounter daily, and I've called out friends who used ageist language or shared myths about older Americans.

Many of the older people I spoke with described themselves as hardworking and dedicated despite health challenges, and they wished they were more respected for their contributions.

For the 80-over-80 series, I:

• Spoke with workers in 44 states across dozens of professions and verified their employment and financial details.
• Met workers in person in Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Kansas, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania.
• Interviewed 75 members of Congress, professors, researchers, doctors, lawyers, and anti-ageism advocates.
• Verified details with over 50 family members, friends, and colleagues of sources I interviewed.
• Read through hundreds of Occupational Safety and Health Administration reports, hundreds of pages of age discrimination and workplace compensation lawsuits, and dozens of studies on aging at work.
• Contacted more than 70 companies about their policies and initiatives and dug through hundreds of earnings calls and SEC filings.
• Analyzed thousands of rows of Census Bureau data to pinpoint professions, financial situations, and geographies of these workers.
• Featured 28 original photographs of these workers and highlighted four of them in a short documentary.

I'll soon travel to Japan for more than a week with friends, where I'll be eager to compare the stories of older Japanese workers to those of their counterparts in the US.

The aging US workforce is something that economy-watchers say we need to be studying, especially since 57% of labor force growth is expected to come from workers 65 and older through 2032, according to Pew Research Center.

"I believe that the most extraordinary new territory in human civilization is not AI or climate, which are very serious issues," said Ken Dychtwald, cofounder of the think tank Age Wave. "It's global aging. It's the frontier."

Rethinking the goal of retiring at 65

Before covering older Americans, I focused on the FIRE movement (financial independence, retire early). People I spoke to had saved enough to retire or pivot from a 9-to-5 in their 20s, 30s, and 40s.

For the 80-over-80 project, I expected to hear overwhelming regret and bitterness from those working decades past retirement age. I found the opposite.

Nearly 550,000 Americans in the Silent Generation, born between 1928 and 1945, are still working, according to my analysis of Census Bureau data. They're concentrated in education, construction, religious services, real estate, and law, but thousands also work as retail salespeople, truck drivers, personal care aides, and janitors. Women, who are more likely to work past 80, told me their husbands had been the breadwinners but didn't live long enough to support them forever.

The reasons for working were as diverse as the people. I interviewed people worth millions of dollars on the same day I talked to people with six-figure debt — some whose savings were wiped out by the 2008 financial crisis, faced a painful divorce, or had unexpected medical bills. I interviewed people who loved working, and people who wept about their fading dream of retirement.

People largely fell into two groups: seniors who needed to work to pay the bills (who made up the majority of my interviews), and those who worked simply because they liked to.

"I'm working because I have to. I don't want to," said Rebecca Reed, 87, who earns $12 an hour as a church secretary in New Orleans and as an editorial assistant. "I'm the only one still working in my family."

While most said Social Security helps, it's primarily a supplement, since cost-of-living adjustments haven't kept up with inflation for major budget items like housing and healthcare. In addition, the Silent Generation was caught in the middle of the generational shift away from lifelong monthly pension checks to self-guided retirement instruments like 401(k)s, putting more of the financial planning responsibility on them.

The overwhelming majority of workers I talked to weren't working solely for the money. Many found retirement overrated and described their passion for continuing to work, learn, and contribute to society. Some recalled friends who retired and died months later.

"I hear people who retire and they're busier than they've ever been because they're volunteering at levels and with causes that their full-time job did not allow them to, or they're returning to part-time work in a field that they missed," said Josh Andrews, advice director at USAA, a financial services company for members of the military, veterans, and their families.

"I'm still full of energy. I'm still very much on my game," said Alan Patricof, 91, who cofounded the venture capital fund Primetime Partners, investing in companies serving older adults. "I still have my memory. I still have my faculties."

For comedian D'yan Forest, 91, work has been crucial to avoid cognitive decline and stay connected with different generations, especially while battling cancer and heart issues.

"Every day I'm memorizing new lines, talking to new people, answering new questions, and working with young people all over the world," Forest said. "At heart, I'm still a teacher, so I'd like to educate people, make them laugh, and make comedy."

Many of the people I spoke to struggled to find work, and they blamed their age. Although the US has made progress in combating ageism, it persists in many forms. According to a 2024 AARP study, 60% of workers age 50 and older believe they have experienced or seen age discrimination at work. One 81-year-old told me they still work in retail to "laugh in the face of ageism."

Many employers fall for stereotypes that older workers "have lower work performance than younger employees, which is not true; and they are less motivated to do good work, which, not surprisingly, is also not true," said Cort Rudolph, a psychology professor at Wayne State University.

RJ Tate, 81, said she rarely gets judged for her age but said living out her later years requires extra planning. Tate is an elementary school supervisor in California, earning $22 an hour to supplement her $1,900 monthly Social Security.

"After all my years of not looking at my checkbook and stressing, I finally had myself on a budget," Tate said. "Still, it's so fulfilling and rewarding, mentally and physically, to be out with all age groups. Life does not have to stop in your 60s and 70s."

Studies show that work contributes to positive short- and long-term health outcomes: prolonged mental acuity, stronger mental health, or improved physical performance. Some studies also show that higher-intensity labor and stress contribute to physical and cognitive decline or riskier health habits.

Harriet Newman Cohen, 92, works full-time as a partner at her family and matrimonial law firm. In her career, she represented Andrew Cuomo, Tom Brady, and the former wives of Harvey and Bob Weinstein. Working with younger talent and constantly having goals to work toward has motivated her to keep going.

"I do have to continue to work because I believe it's my obligation to take care of my family," Cohen said. "I want to be able to leave substantial amounts of money for them, and I want them to be able to enjoy the good things in life."

A growing need to accommodate older workers

During interviews, many workers asked me about the economy. I'd mention that, as the country ages more rapidly, workplaces may look a bit older, and it may not be as shocking to see 80-year-old truck drivers.

"Sounds like there will be a lot more people like us soon," one worker said.

The oldest baby boomers are about to hit 80. The number of Americans 65 and older is expected to grow to 82 million by 2050 from 61 million in 2024. Innovations in regenerative medicine, pharmaceuticals, and AI-powered cancer screenings have contributed to longevity, with life expectancy for women now at 81 and men at 76, according to 2023 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This demographic shift coincides with a resource crunch. Nonpartisan government projections say that Social Security's reserves may begin depleting by 2034, potentially reducing benefits by about 20%. Some Medicare and Medicaid programs have been or are at risk of being cut. A frozen job market and higher-than-desired inflation add to the challenges for older Americans. Some estimates show that an aging workforce may contribute to a fall in GDP per capita.

Despite higher minimum wages in 30 states, the federal minimum wage has been at $7.25 since 2009. Older workers who cannot find higher-paying roles may work jobs that don't allow them to live comfortably. Research shows employment rises among lower-wage older workers when the minimum wage increases.

The immigration crackdown may also impact how Americans age. Over a quarter of direct care workers are immigrants, compared to about 17% of the US labor force.

The US faces a growing caregiver shortage. There are about 63 million caregivers in the US, about 53 million unpaid, including spouses.

Lastly, because many workers in their 80s are healthy enough to live independently, they often financially support their children or grandchildren, said Emily Wiemers, a professor of aging at Syracuse University.

The power of intergenerational connections

In August, I was invited into the home of anti-ageism advocate Ashton Applewhite, whom I interviewed for the series. Surrounded by a dozen people who work in the aging space, I sipped wine as we discussed what aging means, how age fuels stereotypes, and why intergenerational connections are essential to better understanding each other and ourselves.

"A common myth about older workers is they should get out of the way to make room for younger workers," said Applewhite, adding that there is little evidence that the growth of older workers would negatively impact employment opportunities for younger people.

Donna Davis, 84, who runs a children's entertainment company, said hosting events for hundreds of children and watching them grow up and have their own children has kept her mind strong and brought her joy.

"I think I'm going to be here for another 10 years," Davis said, adding she wishes she had saved more earlier in life.

Business Insider reached out to over 70 companies about their aging-related initiatives and heard back from about a dozen. They emphasized the importance of rewarding longtime employees, fostering intergenerational connections, and providing medical resources for older workers. Labor economists, workplace consultants, and management professors said that companies have been accelerating their efforts to support older workers, but have much to do.

Experts proposed examples of workplace solutions that could remove some of these barriers, including:

• Mentorship in both directions. Reverse mentoring, in which younger employees lead meetings or workshops, can bridge generational gaps.
• Tailoring job expectations to certain people's physical abilities.
• More part-time roles or hybrid arrangements for older employees.
• Age-blind resources or hotlines for asking technology questions.
• Hiring initiatives for people in their 50s and above.
• Benefits that account for common medical conditions for older workers and prevention.

Some workers long for more intergenerational connections outside the office. Researchers working to develop so-called age-friendly communities, such as Emily Greenfield, director of the Hub for Aging Collaboration at Rutgers University, told Business Insider they hope to create neighborhoods or community centers to support an aging population through housing, transit, and community designs that can better integrate older workers.

I've found myself seeking more connections to people of all ages and demographics as I've reported this series. Reporting on people three to four times my age also helped me better prepare for my future.

Because many regretted not saving enough earlier in life, I now put aside much of my paycheck for my savings, 401(k), and portfolio, while trying not to sacrifice my quality of life. Many regretted not being more ambitious and settling for whichever job they could find. Others said they should've networked more to get ahead. I have taken their advice to heart.

While some who work out of financial necessity view themselves as cautionary tales, others have few regrets. Some said they live in the moment, prioritize family over long-term security, and stress little about financial milestones. While I'm more cautious, parts of their philosophy will stick with me.

These stories sparked an excitement for my future that I hadn't unlocked. I had been conditioned to want to buy a house by 30, get married by 35, and retire by 65. The stories of the older workers I interviewed calmed me down about my future planning and reminded me that life isn't a race.

Many of those still working do it because of circumstances outside of their control. A health issue, a difficult family situation, a broken marriage, or a layoff could all happen to me. I'm glad I've internalized this now to maybe help avoid disappointment later.

I'm sure many people like me who are first embarking on their careers can learn from these older workers. As a few said, it'll never be too late to start over.

The post Why so many Americans over 80 are still working appeared first on Business Insider