With the first of 78 million baby boomers turning 60 this year, the U.S. faces a shortfall in skilled workers that promises to accelerate as more employees move toward retirement. Employees 55 and older made up 16 percent of the work force in 2004, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. They are projected to be 21 percent of those working in 2014, with the fastest-growing segment being people over 64. To stay competitive, employers are turning to millions of older workers, offering financial incentives, flexible schedules and jobs tailored to their talents.
See "Older workers' skills keep them in demand", Eun Kyung Kim, Houston Chronicle, October 30, 2006