Today’s workforce is aging rapidly. National statistics reflect 3% of today’s workforce is over 65, and 20% of workers are between 60 to 64 years of age. Some state agencies could lose 30% of their workforce to retirement over the next five years. Despite the trend that seniors continue to work past retirement age, experts point out that the long-term trend actually reflects a decrease in the number of working older Americans. Analysts say that nearly half of the 1.6 million employees in the federal sector will be eligible to retire by 2008.

We need to recognize that we are now retiring the first generation of professionals and managers who have the deep knowledge of complicated technologies like computer systems, advanced scientific fields like pharmaceutical drug development, and integrated and global management processes. This knowledge will be hard to transfer and retain. We are going to see a huge loss of experienced people. Reports indicate “baby boomers” are looking for flexible work opportunities. They want something other than the traditional nine-to-five work schedule. They are looking for job-sharing, telecommuting, part-time opportunities and phased retirement.

On July 6, 2006, representatives from the Departments of Aging, Commerce, Insurance, Job and Family Services, Mental Health, MR/DD, Education, Administrative Services, Adjutant General, Office of Budget and Management, Lottery Commission and Rehabilitation Services Commission met to talk about the State’s need to address this issue. The group included representatives from agencies with the highest percentage of eligible retirees, budget, and human resources. A Mature Workers’ Council was created to meet and provide a report and recommendations to address these issues.