Job Search Grows Cold, Creating Reluctant Retirees

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Why hasn't the government solved the seniors (laid off) jobs problem by offering them an opportunity to waive the early retirement penalty and collect retirement based on age 66 or 70. It would reduce unemployment and open up jobs to younger people. A win-win for everyone. The cost would be largely offset by the recovering economy. It's one of the few simple, decent, and right things to do for the unemployed seniors whose unemployment benefits have (or soon will) run out.

Norm of WA 5:24PM February 13, 2012

As long as Congress can "knock" the older workers off the so-called "unemployment" number, then they could care less. It's all about "the number" and getting re-elected. Forget whether people actually have jobs or not. Forget whether these jobs actually pay a living wage. It's all a big bamboozle. A big marketing scheme. Try and get people to believe what ain't so, then you can say your job is done. Get the old people off the unemployment "roles" and wipe your hands of them. Job Done...for Congress.

Anonymous of CT 8:07AM January 20, 2012

Our Congress has destroyed the economy (a la unemployment), destroyed the housing market, and destroyed everyone's 401k retirement savings. And to add insult to injury, the government's reckless spending now will cut the remaining value of your savings in half due to inflation. I'm a patriot, but come on guys. Maybe ONCE Congress could help America instead of lining their own pockets.

Anonymous of CT 8:01AM January 20, 2012

There is no way back into the full time work force for people who have been dumped in theire late 50's IMO. It will be part time, self-employment, or various combo deals of employment. Consulting businesses were hiring the "dumped 55 and over" accountants, managers, etc. who had experience. That is gone. I have watched my husband be unemployed for almost 3 years despite his incredible qualifications, strong work ethic. I don't think legislators understand the problem because they wouldn't think about raising the social security eligibility to 70...who will hire the 60 year olds until they are 70? The 60 year olds are not being hired now. Age discrimination is rampant unless you want to work in Congress...where the elderly seem to abound and profit. Vietnam vets ...in their 60's now...are not given ANY consideration because a new wave of younger more pathetic vets are returning looking for jobs.
Talk to some young people who think social security should be abandoned: it's all about not taking care of the aging. They need to think ahead.

lydia of IN 7:36AM November 27, 2010

1981 When Ronnie Reagan newly elected President took Office ,the National Debt stood at $909 Billion! In the previous 36 years every President with exception of Gerald Ford had produced a budget surplus which in turn had helped pay down the National Debt ! Ronnie decided to employ a new economic policy trickle down theory , supply side economics, reganomics whatever . First on the agenda reduce taxes to the top 5% of taxpayers by 20%result 7 years of budget short falls, 1987 again reduced taxes to same 5% by 11.5%. with same resulting budget shortfall. In comes George H W Bush gives top 5% a tax cut of an additional 10% same resulting budgetary shortfalls for 4 years !Bill Clinton .rescinded some of the Reagan-Bush tax cuts to top5% by 8.8% produced an overall budget surplus of 9.7%. In comes Junior Bush taxcuts to wealthy and $500 Billion added to the National debt every year for the first three, so in 2003 more taxcuts to top 5% and in the next 5 years till he left Office added an additional 5.6 Trillion dollars to the National Debt ! In twenty years of Republican Leadship they have managed to add 11.7 trillion dollars to the national Debt ! aND YOU WANT TO REEMPLOY THESE PEOPLE ? HOW STUPID IS THAT ?

Marvin of FL 12:19AM June 19, 2010

"Life is tough.... and it is even tougher if your stupid".
For those that are walking around looking through the plexiglass belly-button they have inserted. Pull your head out of your a**! If we could all spend our way out of poverty, don't you think we would have tried it a long time ago? Community Organizers in charge are the reason we are having this problem. They and I mean one in particular; think we are a grand experiment. Let's unemploy them in the fall elections. Make them look for a job to see how it feels.

Jeff of WI 2:15PM April 13, 2010

Where we find ourselves (retirees) today was in the making a long time ago-we need to accept that. It didn't just happen. I do worry about the young people who are in the work force now and how they will fair in their older ages. Most jobs do not provide benefits (pension, health) beyond a salary. Our children at early ages must aggressively put away funds for their future. Meanwhile many have high student loans to repay, no health insurance for themselves or family, and no long term assurance of a job if they, in fact, have one. This compounds their inability to put back. And, of course, we must accept that we have raised children who are accustomed to having what they want when they want it-not delaying gratification. Many of our 40 and 50 year olds see themselves strapped. They, too, fell into the no-delay-in-what-I-want trap. Starter homes were their parents' home and the first car was bought or subsidized by their parents and now have overwhelming expenses and expectations along with children to raise. It is a sobering thought when I look at the possible issues my children face compared to my own at 63.

GB of TN 7:00PM April 06, 2010

It is just harsh reality that when an employer is looking to lay off workers, the older workers are going to be the first on the chopping block. The flip side to that too though is that when looking for prospective employees your age is going to count against you as well. Sure experience counts for something these days, but probably not as much as it should. Even if you have experience for a company in the same field oftentimes employers will want to train someone fresh to learn it their way right from the start.
Now older workers are confronted with how to react to this unenviable situation. If you have enough money to retire on that is great and you can consider yourself one of the lucky ones. If you don’t then you’re going to need some sort of cash flow coming in. If you aren’t sure if you have enough money or not, then trust me…. you don’t.
I encourage anyone who finds themselves in this situation to look into buying a business. Buying a mature profitable business gives you cash flow from day #1. Instead of slogging around out there from job interview to job interview competing with these youngsters that you are obviously more qualified then, be your own boss. Put those years of experience to work by taking control of a business in your particular niche. If you can get the necessary capital together, it's the obvious way to go.
Anyone interested in the buying of a business should check out http://www.businessbuyeradvocate.com/ . It is a great blog full of must have knowledge for anyone thinking about taking the plunge. It’s frequented by quite a few experts in various aspects of the field that can help you with any questions you might have or perspective you might need.
Buying a business very well could be the most important decision you ever make in your life. You have to make sure you buy the right business the right way.

Frank Fitton of FL 5:50PM March 23, 2010

SPAIN ALREADY TRIED THE OBAMA GREEN JOBS PLAN... EVERY GREEN JOB CREATED WAS DONE AT THE EXPENSE OF 2 JOBS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN CREATED! NOW THEIR UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS NEAR 20%
THE COST OF GOVT (taxes,regulations etc) IS OVER 48%...THEY ARE KILLING JOBS...THEY ARE BLEEDING THE HELLLL OUT OF US....WE CAN'T PAY ANYMORE! WE NEED TO EDUCATE THE YOUNGER VOTERS BETTER ON THIS!
WISEMEN KNOW WHAT WICKED THINGS ARE WRITTEN IN THE SKY!

JOHN FREEDOM of MN 11:18AM March 05, 2010

We are in economic hot water and it's not going to get better any time soon. What amazes me is that most people are trying to get someone to hire them. Maybe it's time to use accumulated wisdom and smarts and start your own business. Scary, sure. But also filled with opportunity.

Barbara Morris of CA 1:35PM March 04, 2010