Employers and Older Workers: 2006 and 2019 Surveys

To get a better understanding of the employment prospects of older workers, the Center for Retirement Research (CRR) conducted three surveys of 400 private-sector for-profit and non-profit employers. The first two surveys were conducted by telephone in 2006 by Matthew Greenwald & Associates. In 2019, the CRR replicated the employer attitudes towards older workers survey, allowing for a comparison of employer perceptions over a period when technology evolved and the older workforce grew.

2019 Survey Data

Employer Attitudes towards Older Workers

The key result of the 2019 survey of 400 employers is that older workers have reasonably good prospects for extending their working careers. Although older workers are seen as more costly, they are also seen as more productive. The overwhelming majority of employers said older workers were “as attractive” or “more attractive” than a younger employee or prospect. The big news that emerges when comparing the 2019 results with those for 2006 is the improvement in employer perceptions of support workers.

Questionnaire: This file contains the survey questions.
Codebook & Raw Data: This file contains a legend of survey questions and the results of the survey.
Issue in Brief (May 2020)
Working Paper (March 2020)

2006 Survey Data

Employer Attitudes towards Older Workers

In the first CRR survey, employers were asked the relative productivity and cost of white-collar and rank-and-file workers age 55 and older and whether, on balance, older employees or job candidates were more or less attractive than their younger counterparts.

Questionnaire & Results: This file contains a set of basic tabulations.
Code Book & Raw Data: This file contains a legend of survey questions and the results of the survey.
Press Release
Issue in Brief (June 2006)

Employer Views on Worker Retirement Preparedness and Work Expectations

In the second CRR survey, employers were asked to estimate how many workers currently in their 50s will have the resources needed to retire at the organization’s traditional age and how many unprepared workers will respond by opting to extend their careers.

Questionnaire & Results: This file contains a set of basic tabulations.
Code Book & Raw Data: This file contains a legend of survey questions and the results of the survey.
Issue in Brief (December 2006)
Issue in Brief (May 2007)
 
 
Suggested citation: Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. 2006 and 2019. CRR Employers and Older Workers Survey. Chestnut Hill, MA.