New AARP Survey Shows a Sharp Increase in the Number of Older Americans Seeking a Job Change
A new AARP survey of people age 50 and older reveals that 24% of older workers plan to make a job change this year. This marks a 10% increase from last year, when only 14% indicated they were looking for new employment. The findings align with broader research showing more Americans are considering job switches than at any time in the past decade.
Starting Over: New Jobs and Business Ventures
Among those aged 50 and older planning a job change, 40% aim to find a new job, while 16% plan to start their own business. This is a significant increase from last year’s 9%. The primary motivations for seeking change are higher pay, the desire to make a difference, and the need for flexible work options.
Economic Pressures Drive Workforce Shifts
“Today, roughly 38 million older adults are working; that’s more than two and a half times the number of older adults working 40 years ago,” said Carly Roszkowski, Vice President of Financial Resilience Programming at AARP. With inflation impacting costs from housing to groceries, many older adults are looking to boost their income.
Age Discrimination and Job Security Concerns
Age discrimination remains a significant concern for older Americans considering job changes. Seventy-four percent believe their age will be a barrier to getting hired. Additionally, 64% of workers aged 50-plus report experiencing age discrimination in the workplace. AI is another concern, with 34% of respondents worried about its impact on job security.
“Many older workers face age discrimination and are often overlooked for jobs they are qualified for, even though they bring expertise, maturity, and perspective to the job,” Roszkowski noted. “This should not be the case. Employers need talent, and it makes great business sense to hire experienced workers.”
Seeking Support for Career Transitions
Eighty-four percent of older job seekers say they will need assistance in making a career change, a notable increase from 69% in 2024. Top areas where assistance is needed include applying existing skills to new roles, updating resumes, preparing for interviews, and negotiating job offers.
Resources for Older Job Seekers
View the survey here, and explore additional resources on labor force trends, job searching tips, on-demand webinars, and more at aarp.org/work.
Survey Methodology
The survey was conducted from October 17 to November 5, 2024, among 3,580 U.S. adults aged 50 or older, including diverse racial and ethnic groups. Data were collected via the AmeriSpeak panel and Prodege’s non-probability panel, and weighted to reflect the latest Census benchmarks. Interviews were conducted online and by telephone.