Age Discrimination Against Workers Age 50-Plus Persists

Age discrimination against older workers is a problem that has persisted over time. Its negative impacts on getting and keeping jobs is detrimental to a worker’s financial security, retirement security, and ability to access benefits like health insurance.

Consistent with the first Work and Jobs Data Trend Series, this second wave of research shows that about two-thirds (64%) of workers age 50-plus have reported seeing or experiencing age discrimination in the workplace. Of those, nearly all (90%) believe it is common, including 35% who believe it is very common.

In addition to asking about age discrimination in general, we explored more subtle forms of age discrimination that can hinder an older worker’s experience. Our study finds that subtle forms of age discrimination have been experienced by 60% of workers ages 50-plus. These experiences include assuming older employees are less tech savvy (33%), assuming older employees are resistant to change (25%), not acknowledging older employees’ accomplishments or expertise (22%), making jokes about different generations (22%), and giving preference to younger employees for training (20%). And, of those who have experienced these subtler forms of age discrimination, 85% believe they are common, including 32% who say they are very common.

No workspace seems to be immune from subtle forms of age discrimination, as workers 50-plus have experienced them in job searches (30%), in work meetings (29%), at social events outside of work (24%), and with senior leadership on the job (18%). Ultimately, more than 1 in 5 (22%) say they feel like they are being pushed out of their job because of their age.

Methodology

Interviews were conducted in two waves: June 13–17, 2024 and July 18–24, 2024, among 2,002 U.S. adults age 50-plus in the Foresight 50+Omnibus. This sample included 901 who were in the labor force (i.e., either working or looking for work). Interviews were conducted online and via telephone. All data are weighted by age, sex, education, race/ethnicity, region, and AARP membership.

For more information about this survey, please contact Rebecca Perron at rperron@aarp.org. For media inquiries, contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.