As more seniors opt to stay in the workforce amid high inflation and economic uncertainty, hiring experts say there could be a shift in how companies view older job candidates.

While ageism has long created difficulties for seniors seeking jobs for which they are qualified, Newsweek spoke to experts who say that seniors’ skills and financial incentives could prompt hiring managers to reconsider their hesitations.

Why It Matters

Whether due to economic necessity or boredom, many seniors have decided to return to the workforce or never left in the first place.

In an Allianz Life study from last year, 63 percent of respondents said they would likely continue working at least part-time during their retirement to supplement their incomes, and 15 percent said they couldn’t see themselves ever fully retiring.

Concerns over Social Security payments have also contributed to that shift, with 50 percent of a 2,000-retiree Motley Fool survey sample saying they were considering giving up retirement to make more money last October. This data was collected right after the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced its 2.5 percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2025—the lowest increase in several years.

What To Know

While concerns over seniors still being tech-savvy and fears that they will leave the roles quickly have long plagued hiring managers, it appears that this may be changing as more seniors make up a bulk of the workforce.

“I do think we’ll see more targeted recruiting of seniors in the next 3 to 5 years, especially in industries like health care, education, administration, and client services—roles that benefit from wisdom and stability,” Brittany Truszkowski, chief operating officer at Grand Canyon Law Group, told Newsweek.

Truszkowski said some employers are also starting to see potential cost savings around health coverage as an unexpected incentive. This is because seniors qualify for Medicare and generally do not need workplace-offered insurance policies.

Additionally, the older segment of the workforce may also be more serious about retirement plan contributions than younger workers, resulting in lower standard corporate employee costs.

Part of the changes are due to economic realities.

In the Motley Fool survey from late last year, 54 percent of retirees said the latest COLA is insufficient. That could make covering necessities like housing, food and health care nearly impossible without taking on a job after retirement.

As life expectancy increases, other seniors return to work for a sense of purpose, often becoming quickly bored with retirement life if they remain in good health.

While grocery and department stores routinely offer jobs for seniors, other companies have started targeting senior worker programs. ManpowerGroup U.S., for example, launched its Job Connections for Mature Workers program in 2020, according to the AARP.

The Age-Friendly Institute also offers a Certified Age-Friendly Employer Program, which identifies and recognizes organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to being one of the best places to work for employees aged 50 and above.

What People Are Saying

Jennifer Schielke, author of Leading for Impact: The CEO’s Guide to Influencing With Integrity, told Newsweek: “I began to see a trend of higher senior employment slowly following the 2020 economic recovery from the shutdown. Although still not necessarily a ‘specific target’ strategy, we can expect to see an increasing trend of seniors continuing in the workforce or reengaging after retirement as we move forward in a recovery market that, hopefully, is marked by growth and thriving businesses.”

Brittany Truszkowski, chief operating officer at Grand Canyon Law Group, told Newsweek: “While I don’t see a large number of companies directly targeting seniors yet, I do see savvy organizations starting to recognize their unique value: strong work ethic, reliability, and often, a level of emotional intelligence that only comes from decades of life experience. In a high-pressure field like law, those traits matter—and I’d argue that seniors bring a level of calm and steadiness that can actually elevate a team.”

Resume Now career expert Keith Spencer told Newsweek: “Many older adults looking to return to the workforce encounter challenges like age discrimination, outdated technical skills, and being seen as overqualified. Some employers may hesitate to hire someone with a career gap or assume that a more experienced professional won’t stay long. Navigating modern job search strategies and adapting to today’s workplace culture can also be difficult.”

Patrice Williams-Lindo, the CEO of Career Nomad, told Newsweek: “We’re seeing more professionals over 60 returning to work not just out of financial need, but out of a desire for purpose, flexibility, and relevance. Companies that recognize the untapped potential of older workers—especially those who are Medicare-eligible and bring decades of experience—stand to gain a loyal, high-performing talent pool. The biggest hurdle isn’t skill set, it’s age bias. And it’s time we retire that too.”

What Happens Next

Around 150 million jobs are expected to shift to workers over the age of 55 by 2030, according to a Global Study by Bain & Company.

A Pew Research report indicated that the number of workers aged 55 and older has almost quadrupled since the mid-1980s, meaning that more companies could make an effort to recruit from this older group of workers in the coming years.

“Their contributions will help us navigate into a more prosperous time of economic growth. It is wise for employers to be alert to the available workforce in whole and be equipped to adapt where necessary,” Schielke said. “As such, what may not be common or noticeable to everyone right now appears to be something that will normalize itself in the marketplace that we all participate in going forward.”

Williams-Lindo said moving forward, hiring seniors won’t just be a “feel-good move.” It will be a strategic course of action.

“They bring reliability, institutional knowledge, and often cost less in benefits due to Medicare eligibility. Companies willing to rethink outdated age biases will win big in this new labor era.”

Are you a senior who continues to work, or is your company specifically hiring seniors? Newsweek would love to hear from you. Please contact Suzanne Blake at s.blake@newsweek.com.