According to the Pew Research Center, the happiest workers in the office are those over 65. In a study that will be released today (“Recession Turns a Graying Office Grayer”), 54% of workers over 65 say they are satisfied with their jobs, compared to the 29% of their younger counterparts who can report complete job satisfaction.
Pew attributes this level of happiness in part to the fact that many older workers are staying in their jobs by choice, while younger workers are mostly concerned with making ends meet. Older workers say that intangibles, such as feeling productive and useful, are more of a factor for working than earning money.
That is not to say that the economy has not played a role in the decision to continue working for many employees over 65. Pew also reports that the amount of older workers is steadily growing—in part because the economy has helped reduce retirement funds and thus plans to stop working are being delayed. On the other hand, younger people are delaying their entrance into the workforce in favor of staying in college until the economy improves—which is another factor that has increased the age of the workplace.
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