Work For Humans Still Working at 80: When Retirement Isn’t an Option | Noah Sheidlower
Apr 7, 2026
Noah Sheidlower, a senior economy reporter who leads the "80 Over 80" series on Americans working into their 80s and 90s, shares vivid stories of elders still in the workforce. Conversations cover working out of necessity, how health and financial shocks reshape retirement, divorce and single-life vulnerabilities, older entrepreneurs, and surprising tech adoption among very old workers.
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Oldest Workers Are Growing Fastest
- The fastest-growing segment of the labor force is workers 75+ and many are taking entry-level roles like retail and construction.
- Noah found occupations surprising for older workers: construction, truck driving, janitorial, and agriculture featured heavily in his 180–190 interviews.
80+ Workers Actively Embrace AI
- Several 80+ workers actively use AI: one 80-year consultant takes machine learning classes to teach peers and others use AI to write books or aid dissertations.
- Noah was surprised to find older workers engaging deeply with AI despite ageism in hiring.
Home Depot Worker Stayed Because She Had To
- An 81-year-old Home Depot sales associate worked despite severe heart failure because she and her husband lost savings and needed income.
- Noah visited the couple when they had about $1,000 and she later quit due to health and tried launching a downsizing business.
