Key facts
- Older workers are experiencing longer job searches after layoffs.
- The average unemployment duration for workers aged 55-64 was over eight months in September.
- About 173,000 unemployed Americans aged 55-64 had been jobless for at least six months in September.
- Only 57% of workers aged 55-64 who lost jobs between 2023-2025 found new work by January 2026, versus 73% of younger workers.
Older workers are facing increasingly prolonged job searches after being laid off, with some individuals experiencing significant financial strain and career derailment. While overall unemployment rates for older Americans may appear low, the average duration of joblessness for those aged 55 to 64 has risen significantly, indicating that a substantial number are struggling to find new employment.
As of September, the median length of unemployment for older workers was relatively short, but the average duration stretched to over eight months. This widening gap between the median and average suggests that a growing number of older job seekers are facing extended periods of unemployment, some lasting years. In September, approximately 173,000 unemployed Americans aged 55 to 64 had been out of work for at least six months.
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates a disparity in re-employment rates, with only 57% of workers aged 55 to 64 who lost long-held jobs between 2023 and 2025 having found new employment by January 2026. This contrasts with a 73% re-employment rate for younger workers aged 25 to 54 during the same period.
Many older job seekers attribute their difficulties to age discrimination, with concerns that employers may perceive them as too close to retirement or unwilling to accept lower salaries. Others believe their salary expectations, based on years of experience, may be a disadvantage compared to younger candidates willing to accept less pay. Proving age discrimination in hiring remains challenging, leaving many older workers feeling stuck.
For some, the prolonged job search leads to accepting lower-paying roles or giving up the search altogether. Jon McCarty, after 18 months seeking a software engineering position, took a part-time cashier job and believes he may never return to his previous career. Steven Fielding, who has faced multiple layoffs, is adapting by developing AI skills but acknowledges the daunting prospect of rebuilding his career at 58.