Planet Money · Podcast summary
Older workers aren’t retiring. Should they be forced to?
Economist Samuel Moyn argues that older workers should be forced to retire to create opportunities for younger generations, while economist Olivia S. Mitchell counters that delaying retirement benefits both individuals and the economy.
Listen on the show ↗Key takeaways
- 🚫Ryan, a 37-year-old NASA employee, felt stuck in his career after being passed over for a promotion by an older colleague who had previously held the same position.01:05
- 💰Samuel Moyn argues that older Americans are 'hoarding power, and wealth, and housing, and jobs,' making it difficult for younger generations to advance.09:05
- 🗓️Moyn suggests that mandatory retirement was once standard, with many jobs in the 1970s having a non-negotiable expiration date, typically at age 65.14:22
- 💡Olivia S. Mitchell refutes the 'lump of labor fallacy,' arguing that more people working creates more jobs, rather than taking them away from others.20:00
- 📈Mitchell emphasizes that delaying retirement is beneficial for both individuals and the economy, boosting labor force participation and tax revenues.28:28
- 💲The US Social Security system rewards individuals who delay claiming benefits, with benefits increasing by 75% if claimed at age 70 instead of 62.29:03
Chapters
- 0:25😠 The Frustration of Stagnation
- 0:55👴 The Case for Mandatory Retirement: Samuel Moyn's "Gerontocracy"
- 32:35👩🏫 The Counter-Argument: Olivia S. Mitchell and the "Lump of Labor Fallacy"
- 51:43🤝 Finding Common Ground: Domain-Specific Solutions
The digest
In an era where people are living and working longer, the question of mandatory retirement has re-emerged as a contentious topic. This episode of Planet Money delves into this complex issue, exploring arguments for and against forcing older workers into retirement, with insights from economist Samuel Moyn and economist Olivia S. Mitchell.
The Frustration of Stagnation
The discussion begins with the personal experience of Ryan, a 37-year-old who found himself stuck in his career at NASA. Despite doing everything right and being promoted three times in ten years, he was passed over for a supervisory position. The role was given to someone significantly older, who had previously held the same position decades prior and was nearing retirement age. This situation left Ryan feeling frustrated and questioning the fairness of the system. He turned to Reddit, posting about senior colleagues refusing to retire and making it harder for younger workers to advance. He wasn't alone; many similar posts echoed his sentiments, highlighting a widespread feeling of stagnation among younger and mid-career professionals.
Keep reading in The Digest
The full 5-minute article, 3 more sections, and every new episode from Planet Money and the creators you follow.
- The Case for Mandatory Retirement: Samuel Moyn's "Gerontocracy"
- The Counter-Argument: Olivia S. Mitchell and the "Lump of Labor Fallacy"
- Finding Common Ground: Domain-Specific Solutions
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