Stories

Senior citizens working in record numbers

An employee at the Citrus County Resource Center in Florida. Photo: John Raoux / AP

"The new reality of old age in America," from a series by the WashPost's Mary Jordan and Kevin Sullivan, "The Forgotten":

  • "People are living longer, more expensive lives, often without much of a safety net. As a result, record numbers of Americans older than 65 are working — now nearly 1 in 5."
  • "Today, 9 million senior citizens work, compared with 4 million in 2000."
  • Why it matters: "Polls show that most older people are more worried about running out of money than dying."