Equitable Pathways Toward Economic Opportunity

Recorded at On Aging 2021, the annual conference of the American Society on Aging on April 12, 2021

COVID-19 has magnified systemic racism and discrimination, which has perpetuated conditions of poverty and economic instability for older adults. Since the pandemic began, older workers lost jobs sooner, were rehired more slowly and continue to face higher job losses than their counterparts, ages 35 to 54. Unemployment rates are far worse for older workers who are black, female or lack college degrees. The unemployment spike for older workers could force more of them into early and involuntary retirement, worsen their financial well-being and exacerbate disparities. Three experts in policy, evidence-based programming and educational technology will discuss and share solutions for building equitable pathways toward opportunity for low-income older adults.