The Value of Older Americans (Over 50) and Their Contribution to Society
Dennis AuBuchon
December 29, 2008
This article is about the value of older Americans, (over 50) who though they have retired and are drawing social security in some cases it does not mean they are ready to quit society. I am happy to say that I am a part of this age group and I am long from retiring completely from society. Many of us not just those in this age group have something to contribute to society and the over 50 generation is no different. This age group is continuing to increase in population and us, as a society must show our appreciation for the contributions they have made. Some may say that there are negative contributions made by some but there are also positive contributions from which society can learn. I am part of this generation and though I have retired from my primary job after a number of years, I feel I still have much to contribute to society. I am working part time and enjoying it. I feel I am making a difference with the responsibilities I am assigned.
The job market today is an ever-tightening situation with the financial crisis hitting our country and the world. When individuals apply for a position with a company that company must consider the contribution that individual can make whether they are 20, 50 or older. Older Americans have learned much during their careers and they can help educate others in the work force. Many bring a sense of responsibility that others can learn from by example. While there are restrictions on age discrimination, I feel that too often older Americans do not get the chances they deserve in the work force. While this is not the case in all companies, I feel that the opportunities for older Americans should be more than they are at this time.
Another aspect to consider is the removal of the restriction the government currently has on limiting how much money individuals drawing social security can earn without penalty. We as a society should want those capable of working to work. Penalizing individuals by reducing their social security benefits until they are a certain age does not make sense. If there are to be restrictions on the amount of money an individual makes while drawing social security age should not be one of them. It makes no sense to establish an age level for removing restrictions on the earnings of hard working Americans. Individuals who have contributed the required quarters to social security have earned the money they receive. Allowing them to continue to work without restriction allows them to continue to contribute to the social security fund.
Many say the social security fund is in financial stress with the amount of individuals set to retire there will be less money going into the fund than out. There have been some reports that there appears to be another baby boom generation as the number of births have recently increased. If this fact is true, it will increase the funds to social security and may create a situation where more money is coming in than out. While this would be a welcomed change, it would not solve the problems associated with the fund. The laws of financial stability require more funds coming in than going out. While this article is about the value of older Americans, the social security fund has an integral part of older Americans lives. We should value the lives of older Americans and not put restrictions on them if they are willing and capable to work and contribute to society.
In summary, many older Americans are still capable of contributing to society and we should let them do so and without restrictions on their income. People who draw social security have earned it by contributing to the fund during their careers. Retirement can be a relative term. Today there are age limitations in certain industries or companies when individuals are required to retire. This does not mean in some cases that they no longer can contribute to the organization. Let us remove the restrictions on older Americans working who are both capable and willing to work.
Anyone wants to feel needed and appreciated and the older generation is no different in fact it is more important to this age group than ever before. Those forced to retire in some cases when they reach a certain age still feel they can contribute to society. Over their careers and the positions they have had they have learned much. True they have made mistakes but it is learning from those mistakes and helping others avoid them that truly shows their continued worth to society and the workforce. I applaud those companies who know the value of the older generation and allow them to contribute to their organization. We as a society must let them use their wisdom to help make this country better.
While this article is about giving older Americans a chance to feel needed and contribute to society, I feel it is important to remember one principle. The evaluation of applicants for a position must consider their knowledge and expertise. The best person who can meet the needs of a company or organization should be the one to get the job. In another aspect, people need a chance when they enter the workforce. The only way individuals will get experience or a work history is for someone to take a chance on them. Many jobs ask for experience and this is fine but individuals will not achieve that experience without someone giving them a chance to prove him or herself. There are jobs that older Americans can do in companies and there are positions for which companies require a longer commitment than what older Americans can provide. All
I am saying is that all generations have a place in the workforce they only need a chance. While there are laws on age discrimination and rightly so it can be difficult in some cases to prove. Americans in this age group have much value to society. There have been other articles about the value of older Americans and they are great but it is important to discuss the needs of the older generation and society today.
Companies must start to take notice. The needs of this older generation, (over 50), must not be ignored by society today. While they have made significant contributions in their past they should not be put out to pasture and prevented from contributing to the future of our country. The restrictions on the amount of money this generation can make even if they are on social security must change. The more any individual earns, the more contribution there is to society. They have the capability of having more money and thereby are better able to buy the things they need which supports the economy. The purpose of social security was to help those in their retirement years not to be the only income for anyone receiving these funds. Today many people are in the position where it is. This causes them to make decisions they should not have to make. These decisions sometimes involve choosing between food and medicine. We as a country should never put our citizens in this position. Allowing older Americans to work give them something to look forward to and have a reason to get up each day. When individuals no longer have a reason to get up their health sometimes suffers and this drives up health care cost. Keeping people active is good for society and the individual. Let us remove the restrictions currently in place preventing older Americans from earning more money and feeling they are contributing to society.
The job market today is an ever-tightening situation with the financial crisis hitting our country and the world. When individuals apply for a position with a company that company must consider the contribution that individual can make whether they are 20, 50 or older. Older Americans have learned much during their careers and they can help educate others in the work force. Many bring a sense of responsibility that others can learn from by example. While there are restrictions on age discrimination, I feel that too often older Americans do not get the chances they deserve in the work force. While this is not the case in all companies, I feel that the opportunities for older Americans should be more than they are at this time.
Another aspect to consider is the removal of the restriction the government currently has on limiting how much money individuals drawing social security can earn without penalty. We as a society should want those capable of working to work. Penalizing individuals by reducing their social security benefits until they are a certain age does not make sense. If there are to be restrictions on the amount of money an individual makes while drawing social security age should not be one of them. It makes no sense to establish an age level for removing restrictions on the earnings of hard working Americans. Individuals who have contributed the required quarters to social security have earned the money they receive. Allowing them to continue to work without restriction allows them to continue to contribute to the social security fund.
Many say the social security fund is in financial stress with the amount of individuals set to retire there will be less money going into the fund than out. There have been some reports that there appears to be another baby boom generation as the number of births have recently increased. If this fact is true, it will increase the funds to social security and may create a situation where more money is coming in than out. While this would be a welcomed change, it would not solve the problems associated with the fund. The laws of financial stability require more funds coming in than going out. While this article is about the value of older Americans, the social security fund has an integral part of older Americans lives. We should value the lives of older Americans and not put restrictions on them if they are willing and capable to work and contribute to society.
In summary, many older Americans are still capable of contributing to society and we should let them do so and without restrictions on their income. People who draw social security have earned it by contributing to the fund during their careers. Retirement can be a relative term. Today there are age limitations in certain industries or companies when individuals are required to retire. This does not mean in some cases that they no longer can contribute to the organization. Let us remove the restrictions on older Americans working who are both capable and willing to work.
Anyone wants to feel needed and appreciated and the older generation is no different in fact it is more important to this age group than ever before. Those forced to retire in some cases when they reach a certain age still feel they can contribute to society. Over their careers and the positions they have had they have learned much. True they have made mistakes but it is learning from those mistakes and helping others avoid them that truly shows their continued worth to society and the workforce. I applaud those companies who know the value of the older generation and allow them to contribute to their organization. We as a society must let them use their wisdom to help make this country better.
While this article is about giving older Americans a chance to feel needed and contribute to society, I feel it is important to remember one principle. The evaluation of applicants for a position must consider their knowledge and expertise. The best person who can meet the needs of a company or organization should be the one to get the job. In another aspect, people need a chance when they enter the workforce. The only way individuals will get experience or a work history is for someone to take a chance on them. Many jobs ask for experience and this is fine but individuals will not achieve that experience without someone giving them a chance to prove him or herself. There are jobs that older Americans can do in companies and there are positions for which companies require a longer commitment than what older Americans can provide. All
I am saying is that all generations have a place in the workforce they only need a chance. While there are laws on age discrimination and rightly so it can be difficult in some cases to prove. Americans in this age group have much value to society. There have been other articles about the value of older Americans and they are great but it is important to discuss the needs of the older generation and society today.
Companies must start to take notice. The needs of this older generation, (over 50), must not be ignored by society today. While they have made significant contributions in their past they should not be put out to pasture and prevented from contributing to the future of our country. The restrictions on the amount of money this generation can make even if they are on social security must change. The more any individual earns, the more contribution there is to society. They have the capability of having more money and thereby are better able to buy the things they need which supports the economy. The purpose of social security was to help those in their retirement years not to be the only income for anyone receiving these funds. Today many people are in the position where it is. This causes them to make decisions they should not have to make. These decisions sometimes involve choosing between food and medicine. We as a country should never put our citizens in this position. Allowing older Americans to work give them something to look forward to and have a reason to get up each day. When individuals no longer have a reason to get up their health sometimes suffers and this drives up health care cost. Keeping people active is good for society and the individual. Let us remove the restrictions currently in place preventing older Americans from earning more money and feeling they are contributing to society.
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