Older Workers Are Stuck in Tough, Risky Jobs
“However, these differences are often small and statistically insignificant,” the report warns. “Older workers are about as likely as prime-age workers to have little control over work decisions, which can contribute to stress and poor health.”
According to the EPI, any advantages enjoyed by older workers stem from the fact that some workers move to better jobs as they gain skills and experience, while workers in poor health or with bad jobs are more likely to exit the workforce.
“In addition, some older workers consider themselves semi-retired but transition to easier, often part-time, ‘bridge’ jobs,” the report points out. “Though older workers may be less likely than prime-age workers to have physically taxing or hazardous jobs, difficult working conditions combined with declining health put older workers at greater risk for serious injuries.”
The Big Picture
According to the EPI, policymakers and researchers often assume that older workers who do not have the financial means to retire can simply continue working. But for many, working into old age is not a sustainable option. This is particularly true for those whose working conditions put them at higher risk as they age, the report warns.
As the report points out, workers who exit the workforce early often do so before they are ready to retire. The data suggests, in fact, that most workers who retire before age 65 do so involuntarily, with retirement preceded by poor health or disability; by a layoff, business closure, or ownership change; or by changes in working conditions or compensation.
Ultimately, while older workers’ exposure to risk might be slightly lower than that of prime-age workers on a statistical basis, the repercussions are often much more serious.
“This is certainly true of accidental injuries and illnesses such as COVID-19, which are much more likely to be fatal for older workers,” the report warns. “This is likely also true of many stressors that affect health, such as working nights.”
As the report explains, some occupations are clearly more dangerous than others, as measured by injury rates, the wear and tear associated with physical labor, and the cumulative impact of exposure to toxic substances. At the same time, though, it can be challenging to differentiate between the effects of working conditions and socioeconomic status.
The big takeaway, according to the EPI, is that it is “misguided and unrealistic” to expect older workers with onerous or hazardous jobs to keep working into advanced old age. The report suggests a better way to close the retirement income gap is to support workers’ ability to be fully employed during their prime working years and ensure that all jobs come with benefits that lead to a secure retirement.
“Ways to support workers include pursuing full-employment macroeconomic policies, providing more support for workers with caregiving responsibilities, and expanding Social Security,” the report concludes. “All workers would also be helped by stronger health and safety protections.”
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