15 Job Perks That Get Better With Age

It's been said that 40 is the new 30 in terms of exuberance and youthful glow. However, some employers may have missed the memo.

There are still a lot of negative perceptions tied to 40-somethings ("older workers") who might be perceived as less flexible, trainable, and technically savvy.

But it's not all bad news. If you're an older worker, you can still excel on the job and grow your wealth. Whether you're nearing 40 or well past, here are some benefits of aging on the job.

With more experience comes senior job titles and better pay. This is the time of life when you can finally stop living paycheck to paycheck.

You are also less likely to have student loan debt and child care expenses, which are major paycheck drains that can make it harder to concentrate on work.

Older employees are happier and have higher job satisfaction rates. Workers between the ages of 45 and 64 have an 88% job satisfaction rate, according to data from a 2019 study by CNBC and SurveyMonkey.

That number climbs to 94% for workers 65 and older.

By contrast, 82% of workers between the ages of 25 and 34 are satisfied with their jobs, and 83% of workers ages 35 to 44 say the same.

A large majority of workers find meaning in their work, regardless of age. But according to the CNBC and SurveyMonkey report, work feels more meaningful after your mid-40s.

A whopping 95% of workers 65 and older say their work is meaningful.

After you turn 40, you are more likely to find meaning in your work, whether it’s pursuing a creative endeavor or improving the local community. Free from earlier life-stage obligations, you can more easily pivot.

Experienced workers often have greater job autonomy and flexibility.

An AARP survey of workers 40 and older found that 44% work remotely, and many can set their own hours during four-day workweeks.

Child care is a pain in the neck — and an expensive one at that.

If you're 40-something or older, you’re less likely to have to deal with day care, or to be required to scramble for coverage when the day care facility is closed, or your child is sick.

With more experience comes respect — at least from co-workers.

The CNBC and SurveyMonkey workplace study found a strong link between age and feeling valued. The younger the worker, the less likely they are to feel appreciated by peers.

Among those between the ages of 18 and 24, just 40% feel their contributions are valued “a lot.” By contrast, 58% of workers aged 65 and older feel that way.

Meanwhile, 25% of workers aged 18-24 feel unappreciated, while just 8% of workers aged 65 and older feel that way.

Those with more years on the job have a leg up on industry connections. This can translate into a large professional network with better pay.

Older workers have many opportunities to grow their network. They're likelier to be featured in trade publications, asked to speak at conferences, or invited to exclusive industry events.

While older workers are off playing golf with clients in their free time, younger peers are chugging away at online degrees and late-night reports.

Many employers offer robust retirement planning assistance, a benefit especially appreciated by older employees.

Older workers are more likely to take advantage of financial resources and retirement savings plans and are better positioned to make the maximum plan contributions.

Many people grow more self-assured — or at least less self-conscious — as they age. This is especially true of older adults compared to their younger counterparts.

Such self-assurance gives older workers greater confidence in social situations, such as team projects or happy hour gatherings. Reduced levels of social anxiety lead to improved communication and collaboration and higher overall job satisfaction.

With greater experience and expertise comes increased influence and autonomy. You're more likely to hold decision-making authority and take part in strategic planning. You might have more leeway to tailor your job role to your strengths and interests.

In fact, 86% of workers between 55 and 64 say they have meaningful control over their work tasks.

Greater confidence comes with greater skills and expertise. Those who are older tend to be more assertive and self-assured than they were during their 20s.

Older workers navigate office politics and work obstacles with greater resilience and success.

With experience come mentorship opportunities. Older workers have knowledge and experience to share, which is a boon for employers and employees alike.

Your ability to be a mentor can make a huge impact. In the CNBC and Survey Monkey study, 91% of employees with a mentor said they were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their jobs.

By contrast, more than 40% of employees without a mentor said they had considered quitting their current job over the past three months.

Years of work experience add up to a broader perspective. You've witnessed evolving industry trends, volatile markets, and major organizational challenges.

Your depth of knowledge is an important resource for others, especially during times of turmoil or transition.

Workplace performance isn’t about facts and processes you memorized in college. Instead, it’s about the ability to think critically, analyze situations, identify root causes, and effectively present solutions.

Many younger workers lack both the experience and confidence to offer this.

It’s a myth that older workers are untrainable or refuse to adapt. If you’re in this cohort, you might be more invested in staying relevant by building new skills than younger peers.

According to an AARP survey, fifty-four percent of older employees have pursued training to keep current, and 61% have recently updated their resumes, met with recruiters, and been active on LinkedIn.

Even today, there remains some bias against older workers. But these veterans still have a lot to offer.

In addition, older workers enjoy perks their younger counterparts do not share. Being older is a great time to advance your career and get ahead financially.