Ohio: Study Shows Older Workers To Remain in Workforce

According to research conducted by Miami University's Scripps Gerontology Center, more workers over the age of 55 are expected to stay in the workforce in Ohio, with the proportion of older workers in the state's workforce expected to rise from 16.7% percent to 22.4% from 2006 to 2016--an increase of 34% during that 10-year period. The study ("Ohio's Aging Workforce: Opportunities and Challenges for Ohio's Employers"), authored by Lydia K. Manning and Shahla A. Mehdizadeh, focused on anticipated age-related changes in Ohio’s workforce and the effect these changes might have on employers, employees and society.

Among other things, the authors note that two-thirds of Ohioans age 55 to 64 are expected to be in the state's workforce in 2016, roughly 20% of Ohioans age 65 and older are expected to be in the state's workforce in the year 2016, and, by 2016, two-thirds of all job openings in Ohio are expected to be for positions replacing retirees. Circumstances keeping people in the workforce include the elimination of traditional pension plans by many private employers, stock market losses eroding the value of 401(k) plans, and need for many people to retain access to employer-based health insurance.

Sources: Miami University's Scripps Gerontology Center "Ohio's Aging Workforce: Opportunities and Challenges for Ohio's Employers"; AHN "More Workers Over Age 55 Expected To Remain In Workforce" (September 12, 2008)

Ohio Establishes Senior Civic Engagement Council

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland has established the Ohio Senior Civic Engagement Council to work to enhance volunteer, educational and employment opportunities for older Ohioans. Strickland said that "[t]he Council will work to keep them active and engaged in their communities and careers, as well as help employers prepare for changing workforce needs."

Among other things, the Council will coordinate with the Ohio Workforce Policy Board regarding senior employment policies and activities, collect data about the engagement of older adults in employment, and promote policies that enhance job opportunities available to older Ohioans. In addition, it will help business leaders and the workforce development system prepare for and offer services to Ohio’s growing number of older workers.

Source: Ohio Office of the Governor Press Release (May 20, 2008)

Additional Source: The (Lorain, OH) Morning Journal "Senior civic engagement council smart new policy to help Ohio move ahead" (May 21, 2008)

Ohio: Pushing To Eliminate Social Security Offset for Unemployment Benefits

According to a report in the Canton Repository, "[a]dvocates for seniors and the jobless are pushing for changes that would allow Social Security recipients who work to draw full unemployment benefits if they lose their job." Policy Matters Ohio is a nonprofit research organization that advocates changing the state’s system, and Ohio’s Unemployment Compensation Advisory Council, which makes recommendations to lawmakers, is expected to discuss the reduction at a meeting Feb. 8.

Source: "Social Security recipients see jobless benefits reduced" The Canton (OH) Repository (Janaury 31, 2006)

Additional Resources:

A Janaury 22, 2006 article in the Columbus Dispatch says that Rep. William J. Seitz, Cincinnati, a Republican state lawmaker, is pushing to end Ohio's "offset" of Social Security. He hopes "to help our senior citizens who are rudely awakened to find their Social Security benefits are offset against their unemployment comp benefits when they have to get a second job merely because Social Security isn't enough."

See prior AgingWorkforceNews.com article on the AARP campaigns to repeal Social Security offset provisions in state unemployment laws.