Chicago Tribune (05/14/12) Susan Heavey
A report slated for release by the Government Accountability Office is expected to show that the number of unemployed people age 55 and older who have been out of work for more than six months rose from 23%, or less than 200,000, to 55%, or 1.1 million, over the past four years. Experts say it will be difficult for jobless older workers to re-enter the work force. Though age discrimination in employment is illegal, the GAO says employers may be engaging in discrimination by assuming older workers do not want lower-paying positions or will increase health care costs.