WASHINGTON , D.C. ?– Chairman Herb Kohl (D-WI) and Ranking Member Gordon H. Smith (R-OR) of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging joined today in releasing the findings of the Taskforce on the Aging of the American Workforce. The taskforce was created at the request of Senators Kohl and Smith in an effort to expand opportunities for older Americans choosing to remain in the workforce, and to develop proposals to address the challenges and opportunities of an aging workforce.
?“I'm glad to finally be receiving this report. Since this taskforce convened in May 2006, nearly 5 million baby boomers have reached retirement age,?” said Senator Kohl. ?“While the report provides a broad overview of several legal and regulatory barriers, what we really need to focus on is creating innovative workplace practices and providing attractive employer benefits to facilitate the hiring and retention of older workers.?”
?“By 2025 labor force growth is expected to be less than a fifth of what it is today,?” said Senator Smith. ?“The goal of the taskforce is to prevent this dramatic decline through strategies that encourage extended work life and remove barriers that hinder seniors from working longer. This report is a good first step in what must be an on-going effort to ensure the door stays open for our seniors who wish to remain an active part of the U.S. workforce.?”
A copy of the report is located at http://www.aging.senate.gov/letters/agingworkforcetaskforcereport.pdf
By Arthur