by Patrick Appel
Howard Gleckman joins the retirement age debate:
While it is tough for older workers to find employment in today’s soft economy, we are talking about Social Security changes that won’t take effect for decades. By then, younger people will make up a much smaller share of the workforce, and there may be far more jobs available for seniors. In addition, older workers are likely to be healthier and better educated even as work continues to be less physically demanding. Still, Monique is right that there will be many 60-somethings who can’t work. And we are obliged to help them out. But the solution should be to reform the Social Security disability program for those who need it, not to allow everyone else to retire early.