Boomers: The New Workplace MVPs
In the latest Patty's Point of View, we explore why Boomers are staying in the workforce longer and how companies can tap into their experience. With the right support, they remain engaged, motivated, and ready to mentor the next generation.
Boomers: The New Workplace MVPs
If you haven’t taken a close look at my LinkedIn profile picture (or counted my laugh lines), here’s a fun fact: I’m getting close to retirement. And let me tell you, the idea is starting to sound pretty amazing. I finally understand why people get excited about this phase of life. But then reality kicks in…what am I going to do with all that time? More importantly, what’s going to keep me busy, engaged, and feeling useful over the next five years? I know I’m not alone here. A lot of Boomers are starting to ask the same questions. Which brings me to today’s topic: Boomers extending their careers!
Still Working? You Bet.
Boomers are staying in the workforce longer—not just for the paycheck, but because we like it (well, most days). Work gives us a sense of purpose, connection, and something to talk about at dinner besides our latest doctor’s visit. A strong work ethic was drilled into many of us from a young age, and for a lot of Boomers, work isn’t just what we do, it’s who we are. And as much as some of us complain about meetings, we also know we’d miss the camaraderie, problem-solving, and opportunities to mentor the next generation (even if they do prefer Slack messages over face-to-face conversations).
The numbers back this up. According to the Pew Research Center, the number of people working past 65 has quadrupled since the 1980s. Today, nearly 20% of Americans over 65 are still working, up from just 2% in 1987. That’s about 11 million older workers, making up 7% of all U.S. wages. And here’s the kicker—many aren’t working just for financial reasons. Pew’s research shows that mental stimulation and social interaction are just as important. (Translation: We’d rather be useful than just sitting at home organizing the spice rack.)
How Companies Can Make the Most of Boomer Brainpower
So, how can organizations keep Boomers engaged while also tapping into decades of experience? Glad you asked:
Encourage Mentorship – Let us share our experience with younger employees.
Foster Collaboration – Blend generations for stronger teams and fresh ideas.
Offer Flexibility – Part-time, consulting, or project-based roles? Yes, please.
Recognize Contributions – A little appreciation goes a long way.
Keeping Boomers in the workplace isn’t just good for us, it’s good for business. Experience, institutional knowledge, and a lifetime of figuring things out without Google, that’s a package deal right there.
Retirement? Eventually. But Not Just Yet.
While most people plan to retire between 51-60, Randstad’s research shows that reality often pushes that back to 65-69. Why? Because figuring out the “right time” to retire is tricky, and let’s be honest, we like having a reason to get out of bed in the morning. More companies are actively recruiting experienced professionals to fill senior roles that are tough to staff. They’re realizing that keeping skilled, reliable, and motivated employees around just makes sense. It’s a win-win: businesses get seasoned talent, and Boomers get to stay engaged without being thrown into permanent weekend mode.
What's Next?
So, for now, I’m still here. I’ll keep working, mentoring, collaborating, and maybe even learning a TikTok trend or two. Retirement can wait a little longer, I’ve still got things to do. What about you? Are you planning to stay in the workforce longer, or are you already picking out your retirement hobby? Let’s talk!
