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The cost of workplace age discrimination? $850 billion every year

Updated: Dec 22, 2023


older mature businessman walking on stairs age discrimination in the workplace

A new study by the AARP puts the cost of illegal age discrimination in American workplaces at $850 billion dollars per year—roughly the size of Pennsylvania's entire economy.


"This important report shows the cost to the entire economy of discriminating against older workers,” said Debra Whitman, AARP's executive vice president and chief public policy officer. “The economy in 2018 could have been 4 percent larger if workers did not face barriers to working longer."


“The economy in 2018 could have been 4 percent larger if workers did not face barriers to working longer."

The study found that 57 percent of the $850 billion lost can be attributed to involuntary retirement. Forced retirement is generally illegal under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), as well as under Md. Code, State Gov't § 20-606 (known as Title 20). According to the same study, about 3 in 5 older workers have seen or experienced age discrimination in the workplace.


At the Employment Law Center of Maryland, we represent victims of age discrimination in every Maryland federal, state, and administrative court. Contact us today for a free, confidential attorney consultation.

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