Nevada: AARP Surveys Opinions about Discrimination against Older Workers

AARP has released the results of a survey of older voters in Nevada designed to determine public views on older workers, age discrimination, and the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA). According to "Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act: A Survey of Nevada Voters Ages 50+ (POWADA)," over one-third of older voters report that they or someone they know has recently experienced age discrimination in the workplace, and 89% say it is important for Congress to take action and restore workplace protections against age discrimination.

In addition, 92% of those surveyed agree that the high cost of gas, health care, food, and housing requires many Americans to work longer in order to rebuild their retirement savings, with 78% strongly agreeing. Also, 90% agree that older Americans are putting off retirement either to make ends meet or to save money for retirement.

AARP's survey followed on a 2012 survey of older voters in Alaska, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Tennessee.

Source: AARP Press Release (March 2014)

Nevada: Unemployment Statistics Highlight Growth of Older Workers' Participation Rate

Even with a rise of unemployment in Nevada, which has seen the participation rate decline for Nevada’s labor force as a whole fromm 2000 to 2010, it has grown for the state’s oldest workers. Specifically, in reporting the February 2011 unemployment statistics, the state's Department of Employment. Training, and Rehabilitation reported that, during those ten years, the labor force
participation rate in Nevada declined from 70% to 65.6%, while the participation rate for workers 65 and older increased from 12.8% to 20.6%.

The growth in the participation rate of older workers is likely caused by two factors: (1) a social change, marking the ability of older workers to work later into life, and (2) recessionary wealth destruction is forcing older workers to delay retirement due to financial reasons.

Sources: Nevada Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation Press Release (March 25, 2011); Northern Nevada Business Weekly "Number of over-65 workers in Nevada continues to increase" (April 4, 2011)

Aging Workforce Can Increase ADA Compliance Costs

According to a news report, a steadily aging workforce and the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are combining to cause the Clark County (Nevada) school system to spend more time and money to accommodate its workers needs. The school's annual report on the district’s treatment of staff notes that, in 2009, the district made 55 accommodations--up from 39 in 2008.

The most common medical conditions that required accommodations were deteriorating-bone diseases or impaired vision, followed by epilepsy and diabetes. Among the accommodations made by the school system were moving people to less physically demanding positions, buying special equipment to help them do their jobs, and remodeling campus facilities.

Source: Las Vegas Sun "Aging School District workforce requires more accommodations" (July 9, 2010)

Nevada: Census Bureau Issues Profile of the Older Worker

In a continuation of its partnership with 30 states on a series of reports on workers 55 and older, the Census Bureau has released its report on Nevada, the 30th and last state to be released in the series. Among the highlights of the report--"The Geographic Distribution and Characteristics of Older Workers in Nevada: 2004":

• 16.2% of workers were 55 and older, while 4.0 were 65 and older;
• statewide, the arts, entertainment, and recreation industry had the highest proportion of or workers 55 and older, with 22.7% or more of its workers in that age group, followed by agricultural, forestry, fishing and hunting, with 20.9% in that age group, and real estate and rental and leasing, with 20.8%; and
• the state's accommodation and food service industry employed the greatest number of older workers, with about 28.7% of the workers 55 and older being in that sector.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics What's New (February 9, 2009)

Survey: AARP Finds High Interest in Nevada in Working after Retirement Age

According to an AARP membership survey in Nevada, 32% say they are extremely (21%) or very likely (11%) to work beyond retirement, but slightly more (36%) say that for them it's not at all likely. The report was prepared by Jennifer H. Sauer, M.A., AARP Knowledge Management, for AARP Policy & Research.

In the "AARP Nevada Survey of Members: Work and Retirement", needing extra income was a major factor in the decision of those likely to continue working beyond retirement, but having health insurance coverage, building up a savings, enjoying work or the job, and paying for other health related costs are also factors influencing members to delay retirement or work again after retirement.

Employers interested in retaining or recruiting mature workers should note that AARP members in Nevada who are likely to continue working through traditional retirement indicate that flexible work schedules and incentive pay are highly influential factors in their decision to keep working. Additionally, two-thirds of those likely to keep working say a that a job allowing them to use their skills and expertise is extremely or very important to them, and half say that a job suited to family and personal life is also extremely or very important to them when thinking about working beyond retirement.

Source: Research Reports "Survey of AARP Nevada Members" (February 2007)