By JANE GLENN HAAS
At a time when women in their 50s are looking for work, there’s a pressure for both men and women to work longer. Like until they are 70, at least.
OK, I’m doing that. In fact, I’m 71 and write two columns weekly for The Orange County Register and McClatchy News Service plus I serve as executive director of WomanSage, the non-profit for women at midlife I founded almost five years ago.
But I’m fortunate.
Writing is not a physically daunting task. My topic, people 50-plus, is somewhat unique in terms of regular print media.
And WomanSage is a labor of love.
Still, let’s get real.
There are too few people willing to work beyond benefit-determined retirement age. When that Social Security check becomes available at 62, most grab for it.
At the same time, few companies seem willing to hire or retain older workers. The excuse is the same as always — higher medical costs, less familiarity with technology, a skill set mired in the past.
WomanSage hopes to defuse those objections with our “Re-invent Yourself” program launching at our Oct. 25 conference, aptly titled “Own Your Power.” We will network 50-plus workers with job opportunities, ways to burnish skill sets, esteem-building classes, information on launching a business at 50-plus, and other solutions to the challenge of a reasonable retirement income.
At the same time, we are well aware we will run a course loaded with obstacles.
“The issue of older workers is similar, in many ways, to the arguments surrounding discrimination against blacks and women in the ’60s,” says Peter Cappelli, director of the Center for Human Resources at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.
Quoted in a recent New York Times piece, Cappelli reminds that in the ‘60s, the theory that the “market will take care of it” did not work. It ultimately took anti-discrimination laws and changes in social attitudes to improve job opportunities for women and minorities.
Today, the Times says, most men retire at 63 and women at 62. If they spent two or three more years in the workforce, there would be reduced fiscal strain on social Security and Medicare, tax-collections would be higher and the combination would add $13 trillion to the economy by 2025 — about a year’s total output of goods and services today, the Times says.
Will companies overcome the reluctance to hire older workers? John Shoven, an economist at Stanford University, told the Times a fresh look at the implications of age is warranted. People are healthier and live longer. He calculates someone 65 is effectively seven years younger than someone of the same age in 1965.
Some suggestions to make older workers more palatable: make Medicare the primary health-care coverage for people 65 and older; increase the age for Social Security benefits by two or three years; create a category of “paid up” older workers who make no more payroll deductions for Social Security or Medicare — also freeing employers from those deductions.
This is all heavy stuff that must be wrestled through Congress. Don’t expect quick solutions.
Meanwhile, there are gals who need work.
My solution: Lift this above partisan politics. Let’s work together to develop workplace solutions that will entice employers to keep us on the job. Let’s mentor each other as we walk this path.
Most of us fought for equal rights in the ’60s. The time has come to “suit up” again, ladies.
jghaas@cox.net
June 24th, 2008 - 6:11 pm
Hi Jane !
Own your power - wow - what a timely subject. You and I have met a number of times - I’m the silly 50-something who bought the Harley the day the divorce was final and spent half my retirement funds breeding thoroughbred racehorses. Still selling jets (not sure if I was doing that last time we spoke) and considering starting another new businesses this year.
Why my own businesses? ‘Cause there are bills to be paid, working for someone else is over-rated (as is giving someone else the power to tell you what your strengths and weaknesses are - ESPECIALLY AGE!!) plus we as woman know the best way to get ANYTHING done is do it ourselves. But I’m preaching to the choir aren’t I?
If you’re ever short of speakers - I used to do some public speaking - maybe I could put together something motivational to share with the other exceptional ladies at WomanSage (time permitting of course
I don’t know how to fix the age in employment issue - but like all survivors - perhaps I have a couple coping skills (or at least some upbeat stories about trial and error) I could share?
Meanwhile, hope all is well with you - best regards -
Warmly,
Tina
August 1st, 2008 - 11:29 am
Hello! One of my colleagues reads your column faithfully and sent me a dozen or more of your articles. I was delighted to see that you and I are covering some of the same ground in terms of our writing and projects; hence, her encouragement to get in touch with you.
I’ve authored a book, From Fat to Fit: Turn Yourself Into a Weapon of Mass Reduction, which will be the basis for a free, multi-generational weight loss challenge offered through AARP’s new Web site. I expect the site will be operational sometime in the 4th quarter of 2008. I’ve donated over 300 articles to AARP to use on the site along with other resource material. The Challenge will be open to members and non-members alike and global in its outreach.
If you’re willing, I’d like to talk with you, not with any agenda in mind but rather to see where our work intersects and if we can create synergy through our connection.
Best.
Carole Carson
August 6th, 2008 - 9:05 pm
I am a senior at age 60, though like most baby boomers, think of myself as much younger. Over the last two years I have talked to many people between the age of 50 and 65 who do not have medical insurance because of being layed off or the workplace’s medical insurance really only covers a portion of the medical costs. These are people who have been responsible, worked hard all their lives, and have been put into bankrupcy with one major medical event. The insurance at this age is also almost unaffordable at $1000 a month if you are not on group insurance. This is a topic I would think that the members of WomanSage would be very interested in. There are some solutions out there to this delemma and I am sure there would be an expert in social services or in the insurance industry that could cover this subject and shed some light on some creative solutions. Thank you for listening to my concerns and for providing a forum as Womansage to discuss these type of issues. You are an inspiration to us all.
August 24th, 2008 - 6:44 pm
Hi Jane,
We woman do lots of unpaid, unacknowledged work as wives, moms, and AS THE VAST unpaid(except “psychic rewards’) volunteer network.and I would urge all women of any age to access the power and the “rush” you experience when you get paid a.) for what you’re worth, and b.) when you exercise your many talents and abilities. Do not let short-sighted and possibly jealous? young turks keep you out of the work force. Remember, wisdom +experience=$$UCCESS!