Too old to hire? These Americans lost their jobs at 60

Key Points:

• Losing a job near age 60 presents unique challenges as workers are often seen as too old to hire but too young to retire comfortably, with Social Security available only from 62 and Medicare from 65.
• Cynthia Hennessy, laid off at 61, faced age bias including rejection for a Wienermobile driver job but found fulfillment working at Make-A-Wish Foundation despite lower pay and reduced hours.
• Todd and Carrie Fannin, after multiple late-career layoffs, invested retirement savings to start a franchise business, aiming to build an asset over seven years while accepting the risk to their financial security.
• Margaret Bowles reinvented her career after being laid off at 60 by becoming a successful NFL sports photographer, demonstrating that passion and adaptability can sustain employment well into later years.
• Many older workers like Steve Goodrich and Joanne Dority struggle with age bias and job market saturation, leading some to take contract roles or jobs with peers their age to continue working beyond traditional retirement ages.