This learner selected this chapter as it pertains to work and leisure. While reading the section pertaining to The Taxpayer Versus Early Retirement, this writer learned the Social Security normal retirement for those reaching 62 by the year 2022 will gradually become age 67; and should a person take benefits will receive 30 percent less. This strategy by the federal policy will encourage workers to continue worker for a longer period of time. This makes sense as people are living longer and should they retire in their early 60’s, their retirement funds will not be enough to care for them should they live well into their 80’s or older. This learner’s mother went back into the work force at age 70 after being in retirement for almost a decade. This decision was no only financially driven, but also allowed her to stay active in the community and interact with people. At the time she decided to seek employment, she faced many obstacles as the text explains with age discrimination in employment. There are many myths and negative stereotypes attached to older workers such as they lack physical strength or have slow reaction time. According to (Hillier & Barrow, 2011), “age discrimination in employment starts long before the traditional time for retirement. The problem of job discrimination is severe for older workers in spite of federal laws that prohibit it.” For the older workers who do go into retirement, it is often difficult for them to adjust to no longer being in the workforce. They may experience feelings of losing their identity or role as they have defined much of whom they are with what they do for a living and many may become disconnected with the personal or social associations their job provided. There is also the fear of not having enough money to live on once a person gives up their income from working a full time job. Programs designed to assist people with the transition of retirement are becoming more common in industries and businesses. These retirement preparation programs assist people, who are facing retirement, have a better understanding of retirement benefits, Medicare and other health insurance coverage. As social workers, it is important to understand the needs of the elder population. Many face going into retirement with insufficient incomes to live on. Helping them seek part time employment to supplement their fixed incomes or services that provide them with social and leisure services can lead them down the path to having a more satisfactory life in the retirement stage.
Hillier, S., & Barrow, G. (2011). Aging, the
individual, and society. (9th ed., pp. 3-28). California: WADSWORTH
Employment at an older age is a really tricky circumstance for both the employer and the employee. Factors such as health and capability are primary reasons for hesitation to employ an older person over a younger one. However, I absolutely agree that age discrimination as it pertains to the workforce is absolutely wrong, and an issue that is constantly being addressed. I like the statistics you included in your blog, about the ages of retirement etc. Although retirement can be frightening to many, so can the idea of going back to work after doing so. Kudos to your mom on positively returning to the workforce at her age. You're right, if being optimistic, just as many benefits can come from returning to work as before. Like you said, being able to engage activity can make you feel better, more energized and just happier in general. Younger generations think of retirement as a blessing, but when faced with that situation, it can surely be very scary as well. Remaining in the workforce at an older age I believe is a physically and mentally, healthy choice to make, it allows the individual to not only feel like he or she is serving a purpose, but also gives them that continued sense of independence.
ReplyDeleteIt makes sense that the government would prefer for people to continue working for a longer period of time. And even though I am not close to retirement age, I plan on working for long as I can. Of course I would love to retire early but I worry that retirement funds may not last long enough. And as you mention, people are living longer. Going back to work while being retired does supply extra income and helps the person be social by working and interacting with others. Even though there are federal laws that prohibit job discrimination, it still happens. The elderly brings experience into the workforce that a younger worker cannot. But the senior citizen does not get acknowledged for that and instead is looked down upon. A part of our identity is based on what we do for a living so to not work for ten years and then go back into the work force must have been very hard to adjust to.
ReplyDeleteI, too, also did this chapter. I found this chapter interesting because of retirment and some people have such a hard time adjusting themselves to it because they work all of their life and they're so used to getting up everyday and doing something productive, it's hard for them to sleep in, not do anything, and try and find something to do with their time. But I emphasized on discrimination in the work place, too. It's amazing how many people can be so close minded about older people coming in and working for them. They're in such big of a hurry to make money, that they do not want to take the time and patience to teach them the works of the company, but yet they'll hire teenage kids with no work ethic who seem the only reason they get a job is because their parents made them and then they do a crappy job while at it. Great post! I really enjoyed it!
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