For decades, retirement at 65 was considered the finish line. Today, that milestone looks very different as millions of Americans continue working well into their late 60s, 70s, and beyond. In fact, nearly one in five Americans age 65 and older participated in the labor force in 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. As employers face labor shortages and experienced workers remain active longer, older Americans are becoming one of the most important forces behind economic growth. Here are seven reasons older workers are quietly powering the economy right now.
