Americans Ages 50-plus Support Legislation to Help Older Workers Find and Keep Jobs

In a recent AARP study, nearly two-thirds (64%) of workers ages 40-plus report having seen or experienced age discrimination, yet no federal legislation exists to prohibit employers from asking for age-identifying dates in the job application process. 

Our survey found that 67% of adults ages 50-plus support federal legislation to prohibit  employers from asking for age-related information (like birth date or graduation date) on initial job applications.

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is designed to help job seekers access resources and services to find and retain jobs.  This includes job search help, workforce preparation, career development, and skills training.  It also works with employers to connect them with skilled workers.   A vast majority of Americans ages 50-plus (91%) support that a reapproval of WIOA specifically address the needs of workers ages 40-plus, including 54% who strongly support it.    

Methodology

Interviews were conducted April 21–April 24, 2023 among 1,012 U.S. adults age 50-plus in the Foresight 50+ Omnibus. Funded and operated by NORC at the University of Chicago, Foresight 50+ is a probability-based panel designed to be representative of the U.S. household population age 50 or older. Interviews were conducted online and via phone. All data are weighted by age, sex, education, race/ethnicity, region, and AARP membership.

For more information, contact Rebecca Perron of AARP Research at rperron@aarp.org.  For media inquiries, contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.