Job Search Behavior of Older Americans

This paper presents an empirical analysis of job search behavior among older Americans using the Health and Retirement Study. Increasing longevity, improving health conditional on age, increasing labor supply flexibility stemming from an increase in part-time work, self-employment and the use of technological advances to promote second careers, and increasing labor force participation, make the study of search behavior at the end of the life cycle an important research topic. The analysis shows that older Americans actively search for new jobs, both on-the-job and when out of work, and that previous work attachment and health limitations are key to understanding the different job search behavior of employed and nonemployed individuals, as well as males and females.