{"id":315,"date":"2025-12-15T16:59:06","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T16:59:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/?p=315"},"modified":"2026-09-25T20:57:32","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T20:57:32","slug":"age-benefits-and-challenges-of-working-in-later-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-benefits-and-challenges-of-working-in-later-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Benefits and Challenges of Working in Later Life"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"315\" class=\"elementor elementor-315\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef7e65c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ef7e65c\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b8b1cb elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-title elementor-page-title elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5b8b1cb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Benefits and Challenges of Working in Later Life<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d2d5f1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3d2d5f1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-featured-image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_14.png\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536 wp-image-321\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_14.png 1200w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_14-300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_14-1024x307.png 1024w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_14-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5974187 e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5974187\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d330376 elementor-widget elementor-widget-author-box\" data-id=\"d330376\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"author-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"elementor-author-box__avatar\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/McGee_Age-Author-1-Sarah-Olsen-300x300.png\" alt=\"Picture of Hailey McGee\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-author-box__name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHailey McGee\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-531987b elementor-widget elementor-widget-author-box\" data-id=\"531987b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"author-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-meet-our-authors-bernard-steinman\/\" class=\"elementor-author-box__avatar\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025_AGE-Blog_authors-450x-2-Dr.-Bernard-Steinman-1-1-300x300.png\" alt=\"Picture of Bernard A. Steinman\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-meet-our-authors-bernard-steinman\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-author-box__name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBernard A. Steinman\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d94918b elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-info\" data-id=\"d94918b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-info.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-inline-items elementor-icon-list-items elementor-post-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-a3a363a elementor-inline-item\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/2025\/12\/15\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-calendar\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M12 192h424c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v260c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H48c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48V204c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12zm436-44v-36c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48h-48V12c0-6.6-5.4-12-12-12h-40c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v52H160V12c0-6.6-5.4-12-12-12h-40c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v52H48C21.5 64 0 85.5 0 112v36c0 6.6 5.4 12 12 12h424c6.6 0 12-5.4 12-12z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-date\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time>December 15, 2025<\/time>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b273b4 elementor-share-buttons--shape-rounded elementor-share-buttons--view-icon-text elementor-share-buttons--skin-gradient elementor-grid-0 elementor-share-buttons--color-official elementor-widget elementor-widget-share-buttons\" data-id=\"2b273b4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"share-buttons.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_linkedin\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on linkedin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fab-linkedin\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 32H31.9C14.3 32 0 46.5 0 64.3v383.4C0 465.5 14.3 480 31.9 480H416c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM135.4 416H69V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S80.9 96 102.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLinkedIn\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_facebook\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fab-facebook\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.78 90.69 226.38 209.25 245V327.69h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.31 482.38 504 379.78 504 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFacebook\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_email\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on email\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-envelope\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M502.3 190.8c3.9-3.1 9.7-.2 9.7 4.7V400c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H48c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48V195.6c0-5 5.7-7.8 9.7-4.7 22.4 17.4 52.1 39.5 154.1 113.6 21.1 15.4 56.7 47.8 92.2 47.6 35.7.3 72-32.8 92.3-47.6 102-74.1 131.6-96.3 154-113.7zM256 320c23.2.4 56.6-29.2 73.4-41.4 132.7-96.3 142.8-104.7 173.4-128.7 5.8-4.5 9.2-11.5 9.2-18.9v-19c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48H48C21.5 64 0 85.5 0 112v19c0 7.4 3.4 14.3 9.2 18.9 30.6 23.9 40.7 32.4 173.4 128.7 16.8 12.2 50.2 41.8 73.4 41.4z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEmail\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_print\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on print\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-print\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M448 192V77.25c0-8.49-3.37-16.62-9.37-22.63L393.37 9.37c-6-6-14.14-9.37-22.63-9.37H96C78.33 0 64 14.33 64 32v160c-35.35 0-64 28.65-64 64v112c0 8.84 7.16 16 16 16h48v96c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h320c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-96h48c8.84 0 16-7.16 16-16V256c0-35.35-28.65-64-64-64zm-64 256H128v-96h256v96zm0-224H128V64h192v48c0 8.84 7.16 16 16 16h48v96zm48 72c-13.25 0-24-10.75-24-24 0-13.26 10.75-24 24-24s24 10.74 24 24c0 13.25-10.75 24-24 24z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrint\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-392d319 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"392d319\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why More Older Adults Are Staying in the Workforce<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-00ec87e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"00ec87e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The traditional image of retirement\u2014days filled solely with leisure and relaxation\u2014is being redefined for a growing number of older adults across the nation, Wyoming included. Many individuals are choosing, or needing, to remain in the workforce well past the \u201ctraditional\u201d retirement age of around 65. This isn\u2019t just a passing phenomenon, it\u2019s a culture shift driven by economic realities, personal fulfillment, and evolving demographics.<\/p><p>The current economic climate places significant pressure on many people who live on fixed incomes. Savings, investment assets, and Social Security income that once seemed sufficient are now stretched thin. During times of inflated prices and economic uncertainty, many older adults are finding it necessary to stay in the workforce to cover essential living expenses such as groceries, housing, and healthcare needs.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c1e64f9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c1e64f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Benefits of Working Later in Life<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a54cd41 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a54cd41\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Increased Social Security Benefits<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab49c25 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ab49c25\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Regardless of why individuals may decide to stay in the workforce, there are numerous benefits to doing so. For example, delaying retirement until after the full retirement age (67 for those born after 1960) qualifies older adults for increased monthly Social Security benefits. When it is feasible to continue working, who could say no to the opportunity to earn more money?<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f559835 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f559835\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Maintaining Daily Structure<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa58513 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"aa58513\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>But, for many people, working also offers benefits beyond just a paycheck. Working also provides an opportunity to maintain daily structure, which is often lost in retirement. It\u2019s common for retired people to wonder, <em>what the heck am I going to do with all this free time? \u00a0<\/em>Those who continue to work beyond the \u201ctraditional\u201d retirement age can maintain a daily routine that may be helpful to their mental and physical well-being.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4cdde61 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4cdde61\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A Sense of Purpose<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4bd50cb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4bd50cb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Many older adults get fulfillment out of being <em>generative <\/em>through their employment by sharing their knowledge and skills with younger workers. For older adults, working environments that offer the chance to give back to the community or younger generations can foster a sense of purpose based on sharing what has been learned over a lifetime.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-416ad70 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"416ad70\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Staying Socially Connected<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-be67850 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"be67850\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOne of the more profound benefits that may often go unnoticed is sustained social interaction by older people who work. Some studies have demonstrated that social isolation and loneliness are chronic concerns for many older Americans, with potentially dire consequences. For example, research has shown that small, poorly developed social networks are correlated with increased risk for chronic disease and decreased life expectancy.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0b2648e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0b2648e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Health Benefits of Continued Work<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-82e8fe4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"82e8fe4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In fact, prolonged workforce participation has numerous potential health benefits. Older adults who work are more likely to be physically active, challenging their minds, and engaging socially with their peers in ways that non-working older adults may not.<\/p><p>Perhaps this is the biggest plot twist of all: your job may not be taking years off your life; it might just be adding them!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8e14d54 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8e14d54\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_15.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-319\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_15.png 1200w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_15-300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_15-1024x307.png 1024w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_15-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8a0bf7f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8a0bf7f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Health Benefits of Continued Work<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-76e2093 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"76e2093\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Age Discrimination<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-94f2523 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"94f2523\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Despite the numerous benefits of working beyond the \u201ctraditional\u201d retirement age, there are certainly still setbacks and barriers to remaining engaged. For instance, older workers may experience age discrimination, which can often result in hostile and unfavorable hiring and working environments. Discriminatory practices are usually based around inaccurate stereotypes about older adults, such as being incapable or unreliable.<\/p><p>In fact, employers who believe things like \u201colder workers can\u2019t learn new skills\u201d or \u201colder workers miss too many days of work due to doctor visits\u201d are frequently key factors in pushing older adults out of the workplace.<\/p><p>Still, though, age-related stereotypes pertaining to working often turn out to be false in reality. Research shows that older adults tend to have better commitment and fewer days out than their younger counterparts. Although it may take them a bit longer, older people <em>can <\/em>learn new job skills and adapt to changing technologies.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-06ea322 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"06ea322\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Encore Careers and the Challenge of Finding New Work<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8659c29 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8659c29\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>This ability to continue personal growth can be particularly rewarding for those who choose to pursue a new career after retirement (a concept that gerontologists call \u201cencore careers\u201d), and to contribute in meaningful ways that are uniquely valuable to employers.<\/p><p>That is, of course, <em><u>if they can find employment<\/u><\/em>. Older adults often do well when engaged in the workplace, but they tend to have a harder time finding new work if they choose to take on an encore career or decide to move jobs. While federal legislation called the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) aims to eliminate hiring prejudices based on age, unfair hiring and retention practices remain a persistent challenge for older adults who wish to remain in the labor force.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36ba5d9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"36ba5d9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Disability and Workplace Accommodations<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c29cc36 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c29cc36\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Finally, while retention of older workers in the labor force has potential to benefit many older people, for some, it may be difficult if not impossible to do so. Age-related disabilities, often acquired while working, are frequently an inhibiting factor for older adults.<\/p><p>In many cases disabilities can be overcome by simple accommodations, which are required by law in some settings under the Americans with Disability Act of 1990.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f17d71d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f17d71d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_2.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-320\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_2.png 1200w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_2-300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_2-1024x307.png 1024w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_2-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a087707 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a087707\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Future of Work and Aging<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f7f1052 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f7f1052\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Even with the setbacks, it is clear that retirement is undergoing a significant transformation across the nation that often includes full- or part-time employment. In the U.S., demographic realities, resulting from better health and longer life expectancies, are shifting to favor older workers as prospective employees.<\/p><p>The nation\u2019s current population of older adults far exceeds that of any time in our history. When you combine longer life expectancies with decreasing birth rates, and tightening immigration policy, it is clear that older employees can play a significant role by working longer to help meet societal needs in the present and future.<\/p><p>For our society to truly thrive, there is a concerted need to educate ourselves and employers to avoid ageist attitudes and embrace this shift. By doing so, older adults can lead more fulfilling and secure lives, while making contributions that strengthen our economy, enrich our communities, and build a more vibrant future for everyone.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-afb730e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"afb730e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Future of Work and Aging<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-88cee32 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"88cee32\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>Hailey McGee <\/em>(<a href=\"mailto:hmcgee1@uwyo.edu\">hmcgee1@uwyo.edu)<\/a> is an undergraduate student at the University of Wyoming, majoring in human development and family studies in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwyo.edu\/fcs\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Department of Family &amp; Consumer Sciences<\/a>, and minoring in aging studies. She is president-elect of t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwyo.edu\/fcs\/student-organizations\/student_gerontology_assoc.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">he Student Gerontology Association<\/a>, serving in 2025-2026.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwyo.edu\/fcs\/faculty-staff\/fcs-faculty-bernard-steinman.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Bernard A. Steinman <\/em><\/a>(<a href=\"mailto:bsteinm1@uwyo.edu\">bsteinm1@uwyo.edu<\/a>) is a gerontologist and associate professor in the Department of Family &amp; Consumer Sciences.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-89d460e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"89d460e\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e9d90ea elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e9d90ea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Related Posts<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c58fc1 elementor-posts__hover-none elementor-grid-2 elementor-grid-tablet-2 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"6c58fc1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;cards_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:80,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:71,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:30,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_columns&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;cards_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;cards_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.cards\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-cards elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-382 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-age-blog category-physical-activity tag-bernard-steinman\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-falls-among-older-people-and-how-we-can-prevent-them\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.4-1.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-386\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.4-1.png 1200w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.4-1-300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.4-1-1024x307.png 1024w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.4-1-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-falls-among-older-people-and-how-we-can-prevent-them\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tFalls Among Older People, and How We Can Prevent Them\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>Anyone who has ever unexpectedly experienced a fall (which should be about all of us) knows the terror that occurs between the moments of our trip, slip, or stumble, the fall itself, and the jarring moment of impact!<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-falls-among-older-people-and-how-we-can-prevent-them\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Falls Among Older People, and How We Can Prevent Them\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRespectful terms for aging\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-315 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-age-blog category-financial-well-being category-mental-health category-physical-activity tag-bernard-steinman\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-benefits-and-challenges-of-working-in-later-life\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_14.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-321\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_14.png 1200w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_14-300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_14-1024x307.png 1024w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_14-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-benefits-and-challenges-of-working-in-later-life\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tBenefits and Challenges of Working in Later Life\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>The traditional image of retirement\u2014days filled solely with leisure and relaxation\u2014is being redefined for a growing number of older adults across the nation, Wyoming included. Many individuals are choosing, or needing, to remain in the workforce well past the \u201ctraditional\u201d retirement age of around 65. This isn\u2019t just a passing phenomenon, it\u2019s a culture shift driven by economic realities, personal fulfillment, and evolving demographics.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-benefits-and-challenges-of-working-in-later-life\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Benefits and Challenges of Working in Later Life\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRespectful terms for aging\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The traditional image of retirement\u2014days filled solely with leisure and relaxation\u2014is being redefined for a growing number of older adults across the nation, Wyoming included. Many individuals are choosing, or needing, to remain in the workforce well past the \u201ctraditional\u201d retirement age of around 65. This isn\u2019t just a passing phenomenon, it\u2019s a culture shift driven by economic realities, personal fulfillment, and evolving demographics.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":321,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_header_footer","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,8,9,11],"tags":[12],"class_list":["post-315","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-age-blog","category-financial-well-being","category-mental-health","category-physical-activity","tag-bernard-steinman"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/315","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=315"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/315\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1434,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/315\/revisions\/1434"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/321"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=315"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=315"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=315"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}