Findings; purpose

(a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Of the 5,350,000 workers expected to be added to the United States Workforce over the next 10 years, 2,070,000 will be older than 55, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2) From 2004 to 2024, the share of older workers in the labor force grew from 16 percent to over 23 percent. (3) Under the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) the older adult poverty rate went up to 15 percent in 2024 from 9.5 percent during the COVID–19 pandemic. (4) Older adults in the bottom 20 percent of wealth died on average 9 years earlier than those in the top 20 percent. (5) Physically and psychologically difficult working conditions are widespread and damaging for older workers. (6) Older workers are more likely to be involuntary part time, gig, or temporary workers than prime age workers. (7) More than 1/3 or 35.1 percent of women ages 55 and older earned low wages, defined as $17.37 per hour or less. (8) Concern about age discrimination amongst older workers reached a record high during the COVID–19 pandemic and remains consistently and persistently high at 64 percent. (9) More than 1,000,000 older workers were pushed out or voluntarily left the labor force during the COVID–19 pandemic. (10) While some older workers have returned to the labor force since the beginning of the COVID–19 pandemic, many have struggled to obtain work and others fear returning to unsafe working conditions. (11) Significant numbers of women between the age of 55 and 64 have unexpected workforce exits due to health and care giving responsibilities. (12) Older workers need specific policy consideration and assistance that could be met by establishing an Older Workers’ Bureau within the Department of Labor. (b) Purpose It is the purpose of this Act to promote productive, inclusive, and welfare-enhancing employment opportunities and workplaces for older workers through research, policy development, outreach, and grant programs.