Expenses, economy push seniors back into job market

Increased daily expenses and decreased return on investments have forced some seniors back into the workplace, where they're finding a shrinking job market, according to officials at professional placement centers.

"With rising costs, many people can't get by on Social Security benefits," said Janice Bramwell, state director for Experience Works, noting that she has seen more people having to go back to work to supplement retirement income.

Sherri Wright, project director for the AARP Senior Community Service Program, also has seen the same trend.

"I feel the economy here has tightened down, so they need the money," said Wright. The AARP program enrolled 29 people in its job-placement program last month, Wright said. The program is available for people 55-and-over.

AARP, which has 94 senior employment offices nationwide, supplies senior workers to not-for-profit organizations through the government Title 5 Program of the Older American Act. The senior employee receives $5.15 per hour for a 20-hour week through grants from the U.S. Department of Labor.

For the older worker, the program gives them work experience and an immediate job reference if they want to move on to a job in the private business sector. The business gets the benefit of having an employee through the initial training period without having to add them to the payroll.

If the placement is not a good fit, the worker can be reassigned.

"If the job doesn't work out or doesn't last, they're welcome back into the program," Wright said.

In 2000-01, the office placed 69 people in jobs that lasted at least 30 days, and the office placed 76 in 2001-02. The office has placed 56 individuals thus far this fiscal year, Wright said. The fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30.

Bramwell said interest rates have dwindled, reducing the extra income some seniors have depended on from their savings.

In addition to placement services, Experience Works hires some seniors to go to businesses and do public speaking to promote the program, Bramwell said.

"Not everyone can stand up and talk to people, but those who can, enjoy the challenge," she said.

Many seniors have found rewards, aside from the money, when they re-enter the work force.

Eric Naegler, owner of Senior Recruiters, said the side benefits usually outweigh the need for additional income. The money may be the driving force, but it is not ranked first in reasons for going to work each day.

"Statistics show money ranks number four in (importance) among workers. The number one reason is satisfaction and the feeling of being able to contribute," he said.

Naegler said the sagging economy has drastically affected workers in all age brackets. The older worker is hit especially hard because younger people are filling available jobs.

Of older workers, Naegler said, "They may be really bright and skilled but still can't find work in their chosen field."

Naegler said the health care industry is still strong and has a variety of jobs available. He has placed a number of seniors with home health care companies, as companions to older people who are homebound.

He also provides nurses, contracted for a specific term, to hospitals in southwest Missouri and northern Arkansas.

"I have a couple of older people who have reactivated their license to do that," he said.

Many older citizens are going back to work to replace depleted savings or to keep up with rising costs insurance premiums, Naegler said.

Naegler said more companies and seniors should take advantage of resources such as the Missouri Career Center, formerly the Job Council of the Ozarks, which provides services to businesses and job seekers.

As of Jan. 9, 28,000 of the 166,000 people listed statewide with the Missouri Career Center are over 50, said Tambra Foote, work-force development specialist at the center.

Missouri Career Center has several individuals over 50 on file that need to supplement their income, Foote said.

Of the over-50 job seekers, Foote said some have expressed depleted savings as a reason for returning to work. In the over-60 segment of the group, inadequate Social Security benefits sometimes force them back to work. Others have said they are just bored with retirement.