Develop Incentives and Policies to Retain Older Workers

Labor force growth is expected to reduce the labor force to less than a fifth of what it is today. Without a major increase in productivity, this reduction will ultimately lead to slower economic and federal revenue growth.

Highlights of GAO-07-438SP (PDF), Highlights of GAO-02-85 (PDF)

One way to mitigate this situation is to encourage people to work longer. However, employers will face challenges in engaging and retaining older workers that will include the need to redesign jobs and make workplace accommodations that could encourage workers to extend their careers beyond the traditional retirement age. Federal policymakers will need to take actions to encourage workers to delay retirement and employers to accommodate those workers.

Highlights of GAO-07-438SP (PDF), Highlights of GAO-06-80 (PDF)

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