More and more Americans continue to work after traditional retirement age, either due to inclination or necessity. According to the 2000 census conducted by the United States Census Bureau (2003), the number of workers over the age of 55 is on the rise. In fact, between 1990 and 2020, demographers predict that the population segment of people aged 65 and above will grpw at an estimated 74 percent, while the under 65 population will only grow by 24 percent. The aging population in general is reflected in the growing number of older people in the workforce.

It is also significant that a majority of the older workers will be women. The labor force participation of women between the ages of 55 to 64, for example, increased from just 27 percent i

Employees who invest in skills training and provide their employees with continuous improvement programs are thus in a good position to reap the benefits. Such companies build loyalty among their employees and extend the productive period of their workers. Furthermore, these companies are able to take advantage of the wisdom and experience of their more mature employees (Lesser 2006).

To harness the benefits of such changes, employers are already recognizing the valuable contributions of their more mature employees. These contributions can be seen in the skills more mature workers have gained during decades of employment. Such workers can build on these skills as well as personality characteristics to increase their output. In recognition of this, many employers have created programs to retain their more mature workers, even on a contractual basis. Many are also investing in training programs, to help older workers respond to the changing technologies of their professions. When employers are willing to invest such resources and workers are willing to share their knowledge, skills and experience, both parties share in the benefits.

The stereotypes of the crotchety old man or the busybody old woman hardly apply to majority of the Americans over the age of 55. Increasingly, the retiring population is healthy, vital and intellectually curious. Many can contribute positively to the organizational climate of their workplaces, due to their personality and values.

Statistics from the United States Census Bureau (2003) further show that the older segments of the working population are engaged in diverse occupations. For the population that is over 65 years old, some 31 percent are employed in sales, while 30 percent are in

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