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Baby boomers defy retirement as labor market evolves

The average age of workers beginning new roles climbed to more than 42 in 2025

Updated:

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By:
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Mark Huffman
Reporter

Mark Huffman has covered consumer issues since 2004, with a special focus on protecting and empowering older adults. A former news correspondent for the Associated Press Radio Network, Westwood One, and ConsumerAffairs, Mark brings decades of journalistic experience to RetirementLiving.com. He is passionate about giving consumers a voice and helping them make informed decisions. Mark has also created educational content, including Senior Scam Alert, a video resource designed to help seniors recognize and avoid fraud. He holds a B.A. from the University of Kentucky and lives with his family in Richmond, Virginia.
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Key Insights

  • Older Americans are staying in — or returning to — the workforce at unprecedented rates. Revelio Labs data shows the share of workers aged 65 and older entering new jobs has risen sharply, even as hiring of younger workers slows.
  • The average age at which people start new positions is climbing. After rising gradually for years, the average age of a new hire surpassed 42 by 2025, reflecting a labor market increasingly tilted toward experience.
  • Workforce aging is occurring across occupations rather than through industry shifts. The same roles — from sales to office support — are being filled by older workers more often, driven by delayed retirements and weaker entry-level hiring.

As the economy continues to shift, a growing number of baby boomers are refusing to retire, reshaping the dynamics of the U.S. labor market and complicating opportunities for younger job seekers.

According to a recent Revelio Labs analysis titled “65 and Still Clocking In,” workers aged 65 and over are entering new positions in the labor market at a pace that starkly contrasts with trends among younger adults. While the share of workers under 25 starting new jobs has been declining for years, older workers — many well past traditional retirement age — are increasingly staying on the job or re-entering the workforce. 

The result is a profound shift in hiring patterns: the average age of workers beginning new roles climbed to more than 42 in 2025, a marked rise from previous years and a sign that experience is becoming a more valued commodity in today’s cautious hiring environment.

Why boomers are working longer

Economists and labor analysts point to a mix of economic necessity, labor market conditions, and employer preferences as factors encouraging older Americans to continue working. Rising living costs, slower wage growth, and concerns about retirement savings have made continued employment appealing — or essential — for many in their late 60s and 70s.

At the same time, companies navigating an uncertain economic landscape appear to be favoring experienced candidates over younger, less seasoned applicants. In sectors like sales, real estate, claims adjustment, and office support, the average age of new hires has crept up noticeably, even though the types of jobs themselves haven’t changed substantially.

Impact on younger workers

For younger job seekers, the trend presents real challenges. With fewer entry-level roles available and increased competition from older applicants perceived as “ready to hit the ground running,” recent graduates and early-career professionals are finding it harder to break into the labor force. A Washington Post report highlights that Gen Z workers are facing extended job searches and are more likely to resort to internships or secondary jobs while trying to gain a foothold. 

Labor market aging isn’t simply a demographic inevitability — it reflects shifts in employer behavior and economic conditions. The reluctance of experienced workers to retire, combined with a pullback in hiring for junior roles, means the workforce is older, less fluid, and potentially less open to new entrants than in past cycles. 

For policymakers and business leaders, these trends raise questions about how best to balance the needs of an aging workforce with the imperative to nurture the next generation of workers. As the debate continues, the “retirement” years may look very different for today’s boomers than they did for previous generations.