Minnesota seniors are working later in life
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Nearly 21% of Minnesotans 65 and older remain in the workforce, which is higher than the U.S. average of 18.7%, according to preliminary 2023 census data.
Why it matters: The 2024 presidential campaign between Joe Biden and Donald Trump is sparking a fresh conversation about age, ability, and mental acuity.
The big picture: It's not uncommon these days for older Americans to stay in the workforce, particularly in states with older populations.
- Today's older workers are better educated, working more hours, and more likely to be receiving employer benefits, compared to past decades, per a 2023 Pew Research Center report.
Between the lines: The share of older adults in the workforce nationally has been generally rising for more than 30 years, reports Axios' Emily Peck.
- That's in part because of changes to Social Security and retirement plans, and in part because medical advances are extending Americans' lives and their time in the workforce.
Zoom in: The trend of Minnesota workers hanging around longer in life started back in 2003, according to a 2019 Star Tribune story that indicated the state's low unemployment rate was a major factor.
- The tight labor market allows older Minnesotans to command higher wages, according to a state economist quoted in the story.
Go deeper: America's senior cities, mapped