Mapped: Older Ohioans in the workforce
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The 2024 campaign between President Biden and former President Trump — our country's oldest presidential candidates to date, at ages 81 and 78, respectively — is sparking a fresh conversation about age, ability and mental acuity.
Yes, but: It's not uncommon these days for older Americans to stay in the workforce, particularly in states with older populations.
- About 15.8% of Ohio workers were 65 and up in 2023, per preliminary census data.
The big picture: Fewer older Americans are working now compared to during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the share of older adults in the workforce has been generally rising since the late '80s.
- That's partly because of changes to Social Security and retirement plans, and also because medical advances are extending Americans' lives.
Zoom in: Columbus nonprofit New Directions Career Center is launching free programming specifically for seniors next week to help a growing number of jobseekers, program director Kat Cochrane-Yamaguchi told Axios.
- Already, about 20% of the center's clients are 55 and older, she said.
What she's saying: "A lot of employers are trying to fill gaps in their talent pool. Older adults can be part of that solution."