Workers Over 60 Think AI Won't Touch Their Jobs - But They May Be Running Out of Time

The impact of Artificial Intelligence is massive, and the workforce isn't exempt from this impact. But, only a minority of workers over the age of 60 say they are concerned about losing their jobs to AI, according to the Federal Reserve's 2025 Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households report. This lack of fear may be rooted in confidence built from decades of working, tenure, and a belief that a major career shakeup happens early in your career, not towards the end.

But the truth is, the belief in AI immunity isn't aligned with the truth. The AI disruption isn't limited to job titles disappearing, but is instead showing up as fewer hours of human labor needed, slower hiring processes, and compressed career opportunities. And for older workers who are not quite yet ready to retire, even small reductions in available work over the next few years could shake up their retirement plan, not just their career path.

Why older workers feel immune

Federal Reserve data reflect that those 60+ have the lowest level of concern across any age group when it comes to AI-related job loss. Only 14% of workers 60 and older have this concern, compared to 24% of workers 30-44 and 23% of workers 18-29. The confidence in those 60+ likely stems from seniority, experience, and proximity to retirement, but unlike previous waves of tech advancements and automation, AI is rapidly advancing across many industries. This creates risks that could emerge within the remaining working years of many older employees.

AI transformation timeline overlaps with remaining careers

The World Economic Forum's 2025 Future of Jobs Report notes AI and information processing as the leading drivers of business transformation through 2030. So, for someone currently 62, this timeline largely overlaps with the remaining years in the workforce. Many of AI's biggest challenges to hit the workplace are expected to happen before 60+ year-old workers leave work rather than arrive after they retire.

The white-collar skills AI is perfecting

Generative AI is able to perform tasks like reading, writing, mathematics, and data analysis quite well. These skills are key in many office-based roles, ranging from accounting and administration to human resources and finance. But while AI may not replace entire jobs, it could reduce the amount of human labor required to complete basic responsibilities.

Why professional and administrative-based roles face exposure

Older workers often have jobs built around knowledge and experience instead of physical labor, which is harder for AI to replicate. These roles, which involve things like preparing reports, analyzing information, drafting communications, and managing workflows, are easier to automate. And because AI tools could assist with these functions, employers may need fewer workers to produce the same output, which potentially affects staffing decisions and career opportunities.

Employers are already expecting AI to reduce headcount

The change is here, and the shift is no longer just theoretical. About one in six employers expect AI adoption to reduce their headcount in 2026, according to the World Economic Forum. Separate labor market data shows AI contributed to 4.5% of total job losses in 2025. While these figures don't exactly suggest mass job displacement yet, they indicate that workforce reductions linked to AI are imminent.

Losing a job after 60 may mean facing age bias in hiring

It's a tough job market out there, and finding a new job could be difficult, no matter what your age. But research suggests older workers may face an additional hardship. Studies have found that AI-powered recruiting systems could exhibit age bias, placing applicants over 45 at a disadvantage during initial job screening. That could make reemployment more challenging if an older worker loses a position in a transition related to AI advancements.

More Americans are working longer

A 2026 U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that workers aged 55 and older increased from 15% to 23% of the workforce between 2003 and 2023. But more importantly, over half said they were still working because they needed the income or weren't quite financially prepared to retire. For many households, continuing to work is a financial necessity instead of a personal choice.

Why AI-Driven job loss could threaten your retirement

When a worker in their 20s or 30s loses a job, they often have decades to recover financially. But workers in their 60s typically do not. A prolonged job search, accepting a lower-paying new role, or forced early retirement could reduce your retirement savings. It could also harm your Social Security claiming flexibility. So, job disruption becomes a retirement planning problem just as much as an employment problem.

Building AI skills is a better strategy than waiting it out

For those workers who are approaching retirement, the goal isn't about becoming an AI expert overnight. Instead, it is to understand how automation is changing their industry and use that knowledge to work alongside these tools. Becoming AI literate now could help workers remain valuable in the ever-evolving workplace while also reducing the risk of being caught underprepared if AI-related disruptions crop up sooner than expected.

Bottom line

Workers in their 60s may be the least worried about AI, but they are among the groups with the least margin for error in the face of an AI disruption. The key isn't about whether AI is going to replace entire jobs overnight, but instead more about whether it reduces the demand for the kinds of tasks and roles many older employees currently perform before they are ready to retire.

One practical advantage older workers have is the deep institutional knowledge and industry expertise. Sometimes these qualities are difficult for AI systems to replicate. The workers most likely to be valuable may be those who combine that experience with basic AI literacy. Experience not only helps those 60+ stay on track for retirement, but may help them better position themselves directly in the workforce as the people who could supervise, verify, and apply AI-generated work instead of competing directly against it.