Chapter Questions
How have patterns of work and retirement changed in the past 10 years? What are some of the primary reasons that older adults are working longer than in the past?
List three factors that affect the timing of retirement. Then list three factors that affect whether retirement is a positive experience or not.
Describe some of the primary barriers to employment of older individuals. What are some of the myths or misconceptions about older workers? What are some reasons that older adults are unemployed longer on average than younger age groups?
Imagine that you were the Director of Human Resources for a business that wanted to hire and retain older workers. What kinds of workplace changes would you recommend to make that possible?
List the primary sources of income for older adults. How do these vary for women and elders of color?
How does Supplemental Security Income (SSI) differ from Social Security?
Based on your reading of this text, do you think that all older adults are financially better off, especially compared to younger adults? Why?
What are some of the limitations of the official measures of poverty when they are applied to the increasingly heterogeneous population of older adults?
List three risk factors for food insecurity or being hungry.
What are some of the ways that patterns of work and retirement may be changing for the baby boom generation, especially for those who have adequate financial resources?
Give an example of what would characterize an encore career.