Many older Americans are postponing retirement or returning to the workplace for reasons both personal and financial. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of people 55 and above in the workforce rose to 22.7 million in May. Employers have become more open to hiring seniors as a labor shortage has been predicted in the next decade. Many organizations that hire seniors take advantage of job training and placement services through a federally funded program called Senior Community Service Employment.
See "Older workers, employers comfort each other in maturity", Brad Foss, Chicago Tribune, June 27, 2004