A growing trend shows that more older adults are remaining in the workforce as they live longer, with many choosing not to retire at the traditional age of 65. Some individuals prefer to continue working to stay engaged and connected, while others find it financially necessary to do so.
Currently, over 11 million older adults are active in the workforce. By 2030, approximately 10% of the workforce is expected to consist of older adults, as all baby boomers will have reached the age of 65 and older by that time.
With the presence of a five-generation workforce, the relevance of securing employment into older age is increasingly significant. Seniorly, a digital platform focused on senior living, assessed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Census Bureau, and the Federation of Tax Administrators to determine the best and worst states, including the District of Columbia, for older workers.
The rankings were based on factors such as median income, income tax, remote-work policies, labor-force participation, business growth rate, and incidents of age-related workplace discrimination. States in the Northeast and West emerged as the most favorable for older workers, while Southern states ranked the lowest.
Washington was ranked highest, attributed to its robust business environment, absence of personal income tax, and a high rate of new business growth (88.6% in the previous year). The state also boasts a high median income for senior households ($63,963) and a strong remote work culture, with 22.4% of older adults working remotely. Following Washington in the rankings were New Hampshire and Alaska.
On the other hand, Mississippi was identified as the least favorable state for older workers, marked by low labor participation among older adults and 188 age-based discrimination complaints per 100,000 workers.
Top 10 Best States for Older Workers:
- Washington
- New Hampshire
- Alaska
- Maryland
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- South Dakota
- Utah
- Vermont
Top 10 Worst States for Older Workers:
- Oklahoma
- Georgia
- South Carolina
- North Carolina
- Louisiana
- Kentucky
- West Virginia
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Mississippi
Additional information on aging can be explored through various resources, including a study on diets contributing to longevity, insights into the most common life regrets, and forecasts on demographic changes impacting Social Security.
This report was originally published on Fortune.com.
