Can the Bottom Third Work Longer?
January 6, 2009
The brief’s key findings are:
- The labor force activity of low-skilled men age 50-64 has declined significantly since 1960.
- The decline mirrors the growth of disability insurance, SSI, early retirement benefits, and employers’ preference for high-skilled workers.
- Health has improved for this group, but their disability-free life expectancy remains limited.
- So working until their mid-60s may not be realistic or even desirable for many low-skilled men.
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Citation
Munnell, Alicia H., Geoffrey T. Sanzenbacher, and Steven A. Sass. 2009. "Can the Bottom Third Work Longer?" Issue in Brief 9-1. Chestnut Hill, MA: Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.
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