Still Got It: Why Over-60s Are the Workforce’s Best Kept Secret

Attitudes about working life after 60 are changing.  For years, ageism has made it hard for older workers to find work: people were seen as “slowing down,” “stuck in their ways,” or simply too old to fit in.   But that stereotype is being re-examined.  Employers who are starting to see just how much value people in their 60s and beyond can bring to the workplace.

Today, more employers are willing to hire and retain older workers than ever before. The number of employees aged 65 and over grew by over 6% between May 2023 and May 2024 alone, and the employment rate for those 65+ has roughly doubled since 2000. 

Part of this shift is due to skills shortages, but a lot of it is about changing attitudes. Businesses are recognising that experience, reliability and good judgment are real assets. Someone who has handled difficult customers, tight deadlines and office politics over several decades often brings calm and perspective that cannot be taught in a training session.

Ageism hasn’t disappeared, of course.  Some people over 60 still worry about being overlooked because of grey hair.  Doubts creep in: “Will they think I’m past it?” or “Will I fit into a younger team?”  But the narrative is changing.  More employers now actively value mixed-age teams, seeing how different generations can give the team balance.  Older colleagues often make excellent mentors, sounding boards and problem-solvers, and that recognition is helping to chip away at outdated unfair assumptions.

There’s also a growing realisation that work isn’t only about money or status — it’s about purpose. Many people over 60 want to stay involved because they enjoy using their skills, meeting others, and being part of everyday life.  Employers responding with flexible hours, job-sharing, phased retirement and retraining opportunities are finding that older workers are enthusiastic, committed and loyal.

If you’re over 60 and thinking about return to work, it is increasingly realistic to expect to find opportunities that may suit what you are looking for. Volunteering, consultancy, and small business ventures are popular routes that make use of long-built expertise. The old idea that work “ends” at 60 is being replaced with the idea that it simply evolves.

In short, attitudes are catching up with reality: people in their 60s are healthier, more active and more capable than stereotypes suggest.  As ageism recedes and employers become more willing to hire older people, the door is opening wider.  Later life is no longer about stepping aside — it’s about staying involved, sharing wisdom, and proving every day that capability doesn’t come with an expiry date.