The older labor force is dominated by workers and jobseekers aged 55 to 64; about three-fourths fall into this age group, according to AARP Public Policy Institute. Their labor force participation rate is about three-and-a-half times that of people aged 65 and over (65.2 percent versus18.5 percent in October 2012). Since the start of the recession, this rate has increased considerably more for those aged 65 and over than for those aged 55 to 64.
Not surprisingly, the share with jobs (the employment-to-population ratio) varies dramatically by age as well. And although both age groups (55 to 64 and 65-plus) have seen increases in the number employed since the start of the recession, the increase has been greater for the older group. Also over the same period, the employment-to-population ratio has increased by more than 10 percent for the older group but declined for those aged 55 to 64.
