Maybe it’s the high cost of living, the need to remain active or simply professional pride and dignity. Whatever the reason, a growing number of seniors chose to postpone retirement and keep working. According to a recent study conducted by Provision Living, a Midwest company providing assistance to seniors, more than 20 percent of people aged 50 and older are still working in these 25 US cities.
“Many seniors cannot afford to retire — either they’re still supporting their families, they have debt, or they haven’t saved enough — while other seniors continue to work because they enjoy it, or they want to avoid potential retirement boredom,” says Todd Spittal, president of Provision Living. If you want to continue working as well, here are the cities across the United States with the highest percentage of senior workforce. For inspiration, see also 10 Best Jobs for Retirees.
Plano, Texas
Seniors in the workforce: 25.4%
Senior population: 34,164
As the saying goes, everything is bigger in Texas. This is certainly true when it comes to the number of seniors still in the workforce. According to Provision Living’s research, five cities in the Lone Star state, Plano included, are in the top 10 cities with the most seniors still working.
Based on data from Provision Living, the percentage of working seniors has increased by about 99% since 2009 and the senior population has grown 65%. Being a senior in Texas doesn’t seem so bad, especially when retirement in Texas is just as good, due to mild winters, low taxes and affordable housing.
Washington, D.C.
Seniors in the workforce: 24.1%
Senior population: 79,769
Second best is Washington D.C., with 13.4% of people aged 65 and older living below the federal poverty line, compared with about 9.2% nationally, according to data provided by the D.C. Policy Center. The nation’s capital offers diverse job opportunities for seniors, from project management gigs to sales consultants, according to RetirementJobs.
In terms of senior income, the median income in Washington D.C. ranges between $50,000 and $75,000 per year, quite high compared to other senior-friendly states.
Anchorage, Alaska
Seniors in the workforce: 24%
Senior population: 28,148
The percentage of older adults is on the rise in Anchorage, according to specialists at Provision Living, increasing by almost 50 percent since 2009. The senior population still working has also grown by 61 percent, probably due to the wide variety of job opportunities like caregiver, mentor, and restaurant host, reveals RetirementJobs.
Minneapolis
Seniors in the workforce: 23.4%
Senior population: 37,718
The overall senior population in Minnesota has spiked to surprising numbers, turning the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” into one of the cities with the highest percentage of seniors in the workforce. Based on state government data, baby boomers in Minnesota will exceed the number of any other age group in the state. For example, in 2020, for the first time in the state’s history, the number of people 65 and older is much bigger than the age group 5 to 17.
Garland, Texas
Seniors in the workforce: 23.1%
Senior population: 26,302
Another Texan city achieving a top 10 position is Garland. Older adults living in this Dallas suburb can choose from a wide variety of jobs, including sales representative, social worker, and dietary aide, according to Retirement Jobs.
