Losing a job at any age is not a good thing, but it may be especially challenging around the age of 60 when retirement age is near and employers are hesitant to hire them for long-term commitments. This creates a dilemma for individuals who are not yet at retirement age but struggle to find new employment opportunities.
So, how old is considered “too old” to find a good job?
According to a survey conducted by the Transamerica Institute in the United States in 2023, most employers responded diplomatically that it depends on individual circumstances when asked this question. However, some employers admitted to age discrimination in hiring processes, with the median age considered “too old” being 58 years old.
In a similar survey conducted by the Transamerica Institute in 2025, employers stated that the age at which someone is considered “too old to hire” was 65 years old, indicating a shifting perspective in the workforce.
Therefore, the actual age considered “too old” may fall somewhere between these two figures.
Recently, USA Today interviewed several Americans who had lost their jobs around the age of 60, each with their own unique stories of how they navigated these challenging times.
Cynthia Hennessy had worked as a legal counsel for AT&T and its subsidiaries for nearly 25 years before being laid off during a company restructuring in 2024 at the age of 61. She struggled emotionally and financially after losing a job she loved and faced rejection even when applying for a hot dog vendor position due to being deemed overqualified. Despite the setbacks, she eventually found a new job as a lawyer at the “Foundation for Dreams Come True” in the US, albeit with lower pay, but she found happiness in her new role.
Todd Fannin, who held high-paying positions in various insurance companies, faced a similar challenge after losing his job during a company downsizing. Over the years, he had to adapt to multiple job changes, including temporarily driving for Uber to make ends meet until an opportunity for another high-paying job arose.
Margaret Bowles, a former lawyer at a real estate investment trust company in Houston, found herself unemployed at the age of 60 during a downturn in the real estate industry. After struggling to find employment through traditional channels, she took the initiative to pursue photography and eventually transitioned to become a full-time sports photographer, covering NFL games and other high-profile events.
Each of these individuals faced uncertainty and hardships after losing their jobs in their 60s but managed to navigate their way to a new chapter in their careers through perseverance and adaptability.
While retirement ages vary across different countries, every worker may eventually reach a “difficult” age where job prospects become challenging. It serves as a reminder for individuals to stay prepared and adaptable for potential job transitions in the future.