Despite the establishment of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) in 1967, today, almost three-quarters (74%) of older Americans think their age could be a barrier to getting a new job, according to a January 2025 survey from AARP research.
Congress enacted the federal ADEA to prohibit age discrimination in the workplace and promote the employment of older workers. The ADEA was an integral part of congressional actions in the 1960s to ensure equal opportunity in the workplace, along with the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, according to the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Together, these laws aimed to transform the workplace by breaking down barriers to opportunity and building foundations of equality and fairness, according to the EEOC.
And ironically, contrary to today’s stereotypes, workers age 50 and up are among the most engaged members of the workforce, according to AARP, with 65% of employees age 55 and up “engaged,” compared to 58-60% of younger employees. They also offer employers lower turnover rates and greater levels of experience, according to AARP.
Yet, age discrimination remains rampant. And illegal.
Age discrimination is illegal at any stage of employment, including during hiring, promotions, raises and layoffs, as stated in the ADEA. In 2024, the EEOC received 16,223 charges of age discrimination, an increase from the 14,144 charges reported in 2023 and the 11,500 charges...
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