General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: A segment of DU is very invested in painting a dystopian picture of the US [View all]JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)divorce their wives when they turn 50." I was indispensable to the business. It closed a year after I left although it did fine while I was working there.
Another employer, upon learning I had turned 60+ simply told me that he wanted someone younger to do my job.
Age discrimination is very common in the US workplace.
In both my jobs, I had very good reviews. I asked the boss who told me he wanted someone younger whether it was my work or some problem with me. No. He said. There was no problem. He just wanted someone younger. He believed that it was legally OK for him to give that as the reason for dismissing me.
It is utterly depressing to lose a job you love just because of your age. Utterly depressing. So a lot of people over 50 lose their job and then go through a period of depression. They may or may not be able to give good interviews eventually. There are so many good, recent graduates or healthy, strong young people for the limited number of jobs available.
That's why people retire before the age at which their Social Security benefits are at their highest. Many Americans retire before they want to.