People are living longer, but working less and it's causing financial pressure on younger generations. Luckily it can be solved in three simple steps.

A study titled Working better with Age released in August by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), covered tips on how to integrate the elderly into the workforce and empower them to stay.

OECD, is an international organisation with country members who work together to build better policies for better lives. “The fact that people are living longer and in better health is an achievement to be celebrated,” Stefano Scarpetta, OECD Director of Employment, Labour and Social Affairs, said when presenting the study results.

In the next 30 years, the number of inactive people who will need to be supported may rise by 40%. What's surprising is that the elders, although living longer, are leaving the workforce at a younger age than they did in 1988. In some countries such as Italy, Greece, and Poland, by 2050, there could be almost as many or more older people out of the labour force as workers.

The study suggests that a new approach is needed. Working at an older age should not be discouraged or prevented and right now that's the status quo. As people get older they feel less support to continue working or acquire a new job. Two major solutions from the study are: increased working-age and addressing the gender gap in the workforce. Unfortunately, today, companies are reluctant to hire and keep older workers.

There is some progress being made at encouraging older workers to continue to work up until the age of 65 and beyond in some OECD countries, including in Canada.

A 67-year-old part-time worker in Winnipeg says, "Most older people are very reliable. If we say we are going to work, we usually show up."

To those who tell her that she's too old, this is her reply: "They shouldn't tell me whether I should work or not, it's totally up to me." 

Three tips to increase older workers:

1) Better work hour flexibility and working conditions - shorter shifts mean older workers are more likely to accept the job and current workers are able to keep the job as long-term because it's less taxing.

2) Invest in the skills of older workers - increased training results in more capable workers. The myth is that older workers can't do the work but the truth is that they are just not receiving the same training opportunities.

3) Encourage employment - encourage employers to hire and keep older workers and reward older workers who do.

"If somebody wants to work they should go for it," said a 67-year old part-time worker.