Number of elderly workers in 2012 soared to new record high Posted onApril 27, 2013byJerryThe Japan Times (Apr 28, 2013) – The number of workers aged 60 or above averaged 11.92 million in 2012, setting a record high for the sixth straight year, according to recently released government data.The average number of elderly employees last year increased by 170,000 from 2011, accounting for 19.0 percent of the nation’s total workforce, the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry reported.Since 2002, the ranks of elderly workers have swelled by some 3.1 million, and their presence in the total workforce increased by 5.0 percentage points. Their numbers began surging in 2007, when baby boomers born in the late 1940s began turning 60.The increased numbers of those opting to continue working after reaching the once mandatory retirement age of 60 is a reflection of shrinking pension benefits, as well as the fact that the age at which people start to receive pensions has been raised since 2001 in response to the country’s aging society and falling birthrate.Read More: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/04/28/national/number-of-elderly-workers-in-2012-soared-to-new-record-high/#.UXxu5b-orx4 This entry was posted in Jerry’s Blog, OMI Global News.

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Number of elderly workers in 2012 soared to new record high