New SHRM Research Reveals Critical Misconceptions About Older Workers and Gaps in Workplace Support

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Today, SHRM – the trusted authority on all things work, workers, and the workplace – released new research, challenging widespread misconceptions about older workers and revealing a significant untapped talent pool organizations are failing to access. The comprehensive study, Age of Opportunity: Redefining Talent with the 65+ Workforce, paints a striking picture of missed opportunities, with 93% of HR professionals reporting their organizations have no formal or informal recruitment programs targeting older workers.

SHRM’s Thought Leadership conducted this study as part of the SHRM Foundation’s Widening Pathways to Work initiative, providing employers with valuable insights into this key demographic. The research aims to highlight this group of untapped talent’s strengths and offer practical solutions to bridge gaps and support older workers’ success.

“Our latest research makes it clear: older workers are driving results. Their experience, adaptability, and eagerness to learn, especially with new technologies such as AI, are exactly what today’s organizations need,” said Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, President & CEO of SHRM. “If we ignore this talent pool, we’re leaving critical skills and institutional knowledge on the table at a time when these very skills are in such high demand. It’s time to rethink how we recruit and support the 65+ workforce – because when we do, everyone wins.”

Key findings include:

• Older workers are enjoying their current roles:
  • 91% of older workers report job satisfaction, while 87% feel engaged at work.
  • Among HR professionals who work with older employees, 74% report positive experiences, with 88% saying older workers perform better than or much better than other employees.
• These workers defy common stereotypes:
  • 81% of older workers demonstrate a strong willingness to learn.
  • 79% showing positive approaches to challenges.
  • 60% displayed enthusiasm for growth – including embracing new technologies like artificial intelligence.
• There's a disconnect between what young workers believe older workers need:
  • Over 55% of workers aged 18 to 54 believe flexible working hours are essential to better support older workers, yet only 32% of HR professionals implement this strategy.
  • While 44% of younger workers want to see wellness programs addressing age-related health needs, only 16% of organizations offer such benefits.

The research exposes critical knowledge retention risks organizations currently face. While 83% of HR professionals document company policies, only around one-third document cultural norms (32%) and client relations (43%) – areas they say would be extremely difficult to rebuild if experienced workers suddenly retire. This represents a ticking time bomb of institutional knowledge that could walk out the door without proper succession planning.

The demographic shift driving this issue cannot be ignored. The population aged 65 and older represents the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. workforce, with over 11.8 million individuals in this age group currently employed – more than double the number from 30 years ago. As younger age groups show only modest growth, organizations failing to tap into this experienced talent pool risk falling behind competitors who embrace age-inclusive practices.

Methodology

U.S. Workers: A sample of 1,227 U.S.-based workers ages 18 to 54 were surveyed Aug. 13 to Aug. 26, 2025, using a third-party online panel. For the purposes of this study, participants were required to be employed part-time or full-time by an organization in a non-HR capacity. Those who were self-employed, retired, or an independent contractor did not qualify. Participants represent organizations across multiple types of industries, sectors, sizes, and locations. Data is unweighted. 

U.S. Older Adults: A sample of 1,700 U.S.-based adults ages 55 and older were surveyed June 23 to June 27, 2025, using a third-party online panel. Participants did not have to be employed and represent older adults across multiple employment status categories, location, and demographic characteristics. Data is unweighted.

HR professionals: A sample of 1,912 U.S.-based HR professionals were surveyed from May 30 to June 6, 2025, using the SHRM Voice of Work Research Panel. Participants represent organizations across multiple types of industries, sectors, sizes, and locations. Data is unweighted. 

How to cite the research: Age of Opportunity: Redefining Talent with the 65+ Workforce, SHRM, 2025.

About SHRM

SHRM is a member-driven catalyst for creating better workplaces where people and businesses thrive together. As the trusted authority on all things work, SHRM is the foremost expert, researcher, advocate, and thought leader on issues and innovations impacting today’s evolving workplaces. With nearly 340,000 members in 180 countries, SHRM touches the lives of more than 362 million workers and their families globally. Discover more at SHRM.org.