[Senate Hearing 119-302]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
S. Hrg. 119-302
AGING WITH PURPOSE:
THE POSITIVE IMPACT
OF SENIORS IN TODAY'S ECONOMY
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HEARING
BEFORE THE
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING
UNITED STATES SENATE
ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
__________
WASHINGTON, DC
__________
DECEMBER 10, 2025
__________
Serial No. 119-21
Printed for the use of the Special Committee on Aging
[GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.govinfo.gov
__________
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
62-923 PDF WASHINGTON : 2026
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SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING
RICK SCOTT, Florida, Chairman
DAVE McCORMICK, Pennsylvania KIRSTEN E. GILLIBRAND, New York
JIM JUSTICE, West Virginia ELIZABETH WARREN, Massachusetts
TOMMY TUBERVILLE, Alabama MARK KELLY, Arizona
RON JOHNSON, Wisconsin RAPHAEL WARNOCK, Georgia
ASHLEY MOODY, Florida ANDY KIM, New Jersey
JON HUSTED, Ohio ANGELA ALSOBROOKS, Maryland
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McKinley Lewis, Majority Staff Director
Claire Descamps, Minority Staff Director
C O N T E N T S
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Page
Opening Statement of Senator Rick Scott, Chairman................ 1
Opening Statement of Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand, Ranking
Member......................................................... 3
PANEL OF WITNESSES
Jon Taffer, Chairman & CEO, Taffer Dynamics, Executive Producer &
Host, Paramount Network's "Bar Rescue," Las Vegas, Neveda...... 4
Dr. Paul Broadie II, President, Santa Fe College, Gainesville,
Florida........................................................ 5
Rachel Greszler, Senior Research Fellow, Workforce and Public
Finance, The Heritage Foundation, Washington, DC............... 7
Christine Osasu, Director, Senior Community Service Employment
Program, Legacy Link, Oakwood, Georgia......................... 9
APPENDIX
Prepared Witness Statements
Jon Taffer, Chairman & CEO, Taffer Dynamics, Executive Producer &
Host, Paramount Network's "Bar Rescue," Las Vegas, Neveda...... 26
Dr. Paul Broadie II, President, Santa Fe College, Gainesville,
Florida........................................................ 27
Rachel Greszler, Senior Research Fellow, Workforce and Public
Finance, The Heritage Foundation, Washington, DC............... 35
Christine Osasu, Director, Senior Community Service Employment
Program, Legacy Link, Oakwood, Georgia......................... 46
Questions for the Record
Jon Taffer, Chairman & CEO, Taffer Dynamics, Executive Producer &
Host, Paramount Network's "Bar Rescue," Las Vegas, Neveda...... 50
Dr. Paul Broadie II, President, Santa Fe College, Gainesville,
Florida........................................................ 51
Rachel Greszler, Senior Research Fellow, Workforce and Public
Finance, The Heritage Foundation, Washington, DC............... 52
Christine Osasu, Director, Senior Community Service Employment
Program, Legacy Link, Oakwood, Georgia......................... 54
Statements for the Record
AARP Statement................................................... 58
Lauren S. Marinaro, Esq., Statement.............................. 64
National Academy of Elder Attorneys Statement.................... 66
Ryann M. Siclari, Esq., Statement................................ 68
AGING WITH PURPOSE:
THE POSITIVE IMPACT
OF SENIORS IN TODAY'S ECONOMY
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Wednesday, December 10, 2025
U.S. Senate
Special Committee on Aging
Washington, DC.
The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 3:32 p.m., Room
216, Hart Senate Office Building, Hon. Rick Scott, Chairman of
the Committee, presiding.
Present: Senator Scott, Justice, Moody, Gillibrand, and
Alsobrooks.
OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR
RICK SCOTT, CHAIRMAN
The Chairman. The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging
will now come to order. I want to thank all of you for being
here.
We've gathered to discuss a very important topic, not just
for our aging community, but also for generations planning for
retirement, and for those who won't be retiring for several
decades. Today's hearing will focus on the beneficial impact of
purpose in the lives of our seniors. I think that we'd all say
that, right? We all want to have purpose and what we can do as
elect officials to help foster a purpose-filled life for our
aging constituents.
We are lucky to be joined by expert witnesses who can speak
to the impact of keeping seniors engaged in their communities
through business, education, and volunteering. Now, aging
Americans who remain engaged with purpose-driven lives create
benefits for themselves and our economy. Purpose and
fulfillment are powerful forces that enrich families,
strengthen our communities, and support the health and
longevity of our Nation and its people.
Having a purpose is an essential part of the American
dream. It has long been an indicator of both mental and
physical well-being across all age groups. Purpose can be found
in many things, including parenting, caring for loved ones,
creating a business, and paid or volunteer work, but for
seniors, many of whom are adjusting to retirement and life as
empty nesters, purpose can sometimes seem hard to find.
However, we should see this phase of life as a new chapter one
where older Americans are empowered to stay active, pursue
passions, and give back in ways that matter to them, all while
reaping the rewards of connection, community, and better
physical and mental well-being.
Here's the reality for a lot of folks preparing for
retirement. While we hope that every American spends their
working years working their dream jobs, that's not always the
case. Millions of Americans have great jobs, they save up for
retirement, and they look forward to chasing the dreams that
they might have put on pause in their golden years of
retirement.
What I want this Committee to think about today is how do
we make sure that every American retiree can live their dreams
in their older years? How do we make sure they can take that
course at the local college that they've been wanting to take
for too long? How do we make sure they can start that coffee
shop or bookstore or bike shop they've always dreamed about?
How do we make sure folks stay connected with their communities
as they age and create value not only for themselves by keeping
purpose in their lives, but also help mentor the next
generation of leaders, coach the next generation of small
business owners, and pass along their years of wisdom and
experience in the process?
Research shows that older adults who remain engaged,
whether through volunteering, mentoring, or taking on new
responsibilities, experience greater physical health, mental
resilience, and life satisfaction. Community involvement,
lifelong learning, and cross-generational connection are not
just beneficial for the individuals involved, they foster a
society where every generation thrives. Like I said before, for
some it will be taking a class or a course to explore an area
of interest, volunteering in the community, or dedicating time
to pursue a new hobby.
For many seniors, purpose will be found in continuing to
work in some capacity. This could be in their previous
business, as a new part-time employee at a place they enjoy
frequently frequenting, or even branching out and starting
something new. We need to remove the red tape that hampers or
discourages older Americans from continuing work or starting
new businesses or careers. We also need to ensure we're
removing regulations and creating an economic environment that
fosters flourishing and keeps inflation down.
We need to ensure that older Americans and future
generations can face retirement with a sense of financial
security and not a fear of inflation outpacing their nest egg.
This way, seniors are only working if they want to, not because
they have to. The only way to ensure this is to get the
government out of the way. We did this in Florida by cutting
taxes and costly and unnecessary regulations. We managed to
turn the economy around making it a beacon for businesses and
those wanting a full and purposeful life.
To remind you as Governor, we cut taxes more than a hundred
times and slash more than 5,000 burdens from regulations. We
cut the time it took to get your license or permit from the
State of Florida from weeks to days. Florida businesses added
1.7 million jobs. We paid down more than $10 billion of our
debt, and we managed to increase the efficiency of government
to provide additional services for our citizens and our state,
including for our seniors.
Because of these policies, Florida's well known as a place
that thousands and thousands of retirees' flock to every year,
especially this time of year escaping less financially
hospitable climates. In Florida, their dollars go farther and
they have communities and opportunities to experience
connection and fulfillment. Cutting taxes and creating a
freedom loving environment allows our senior citizens to thrive
and our retired citizens to enjoy the retirement that they work
so hard for. It allows our aging constituents the freedom and
stability to pursue their passions and build a life of purpose
and fulfillment.
I look forward to a productive and meaningful conversation
on this important topic. Now, I'd like to recognize the Ranking
Member from New York, Senator Gillibrand, for her opening
statement.
OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR
KIRSTEN E. GILLIBRAND, RANKING MEMBER
Senator Gillibrand. Thank you, Chairman Scott, and thank
you to the witnesses.
Older adults have tremendous wisdom, work ethic, skills,
and really contribute to the economy. This was certainly the
case with one of my former staffers. I had a staffer named Geri
Shapiro who worked for Secretary Clinton when she was Senator
and then worked for me when I became Senator. Geri worked well
into her eighties, maybe even her nineties, as the head of our
Westchester regional office. She was the resident expert on the
nuclear facility. She took all the meetings about Indian Point.
She was one of the most knowledgeable, thoughtful, and wise
leaders we had in our office.
I know that no matter what someone's age is, they can still
contribute meaningfully to the work of any organization, any
community, and any company. Many people want to return to work
for mental stimulation or community involvement, but too often
people return to work out of financial necessity. This is
especially true for 42 percent of private sector employees who
do not have access to employer retirement plans, and 44 percent
who do not participate regardless. Another factor compounding
this financial need is the reality that many people step back
from working and saving to care for children or aging parents.
Today, you'll hear about the Senior Community Service
Employment Program or SCSEP. SCSEP is an Older Americans Act
program that helps older adults who face the most pressing
barriers to employment, such as those who are homeless or have
a disability, find meaningful work that they enjoy. SCSEP does
fantastic work to train and place older adults in meaningful
employment. It also serves as another reminder about why
passing the Older Americans Act reauthorization is so
important.
I look forward to hearing from our witnesses today about
the importance of the SCSEP program and the incredible
contributions that older adults provide in our workforce.
The Chairman. Thank you, Ranking Member.
I'd now like to introduce our first witness, Jon Taffer. He
is a renowned entrepreneur, hospitality expert, and television
personality with nearly four decades of experience transforming
businesses and revitalizing communities. As the host of the hit
series Bar Rescue, Mr. Taffer has become a household name for
his hands-on approach to helping struggling businesses reach
their full potential.
Beyond his business acumen, Jon is deeply committed to
community engagement and philanthropy. Through his ventures
such as Taffer's Tavern, he has championed initiatives that
support veterans and local nonprofits whose primary goal is to
make their communities a better place to live and work.
He is living proof that business and community involvement
in your senior years is a path to power of purpose as insights
and experience are invaluable for our discussion here today.
Thank you for being here. You may begin your testimony.
STATEMENT OF JON TAFFER, CHAIRMAN & CEO, TAFFER
DYNAMICS, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER & HOST, PARAMOUNT
NETWORK'S "BAR RESCUE," LAS VEGAS, NEVEDA
Mr. Taffer. Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Gillibrand, and
members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to be
here today. It's an honor to speak with you on a topic that's
not only timely, but personal: aging with purpose.
I started in hospitality in 1973 as a bartender at Barney's
Beanery in Hollywood, California. Five years later, I was
running the Troubadour nightclub, where legends took the stage
and music history was made. By the 1980's, I was operating my
own bar, and since then I've owned 17 different hospitality
businesses. These days I'm perhaps known as the executive
producer and host of Bar Rescue. What I do on that show is
really about one thing, helping people find their purpose
again, often when they've lost all hope.
I've been fortunate to work with hundreds of business
owners on Bar Rescue, many of whom were hanging on by a thread
financially, emotionally, and many times both. What turns
things around for them isn't just better finances or improved
operations, it's when people reconnect with a sense of purpose,
when they remember why they started, and who they're doing it
for, and it doesn't just apply to business owners, it applies
to all of us, especially as we age.
I've seen firsthand the moment when a senior regains a
sense of purpose. I change the lives of seniors so often,
whether it's through my show, mentorship programs, volunteer
work, or even rejoining the workforce. When they see hope and
feel accomplishment, they light up. Their posture changes,
their eyes light up. Everything about them changes in all of
their mannerisms and outlooks. Their energy, commitment, and
attitude often rival employees half their age.
Many people lose purpose in phases. First, the kids leave
home, then later they retire. Maybe they lose their home, they
stop mowing their lawn. Without the structure of a job, co-
workers, or daily goals, they're left unanchored. We spend
decades striving, raising families, building careers, solving
problems, and suddenly that drive doesn't have anywhere to go.
It disappears.
When even a small sense of accomplishment or a chance to
help someone reenters their lives, when they become part of a
team again, or offer guidance to someone just starting out,
it's powerful. It changes lives, and I've seen it hundreds of
times, and in some cases, it extends those lives.
This isn't just anecdotal. Research shows people who have a
sense of purpose live longer, healthier lives. Purpose improves
mental health, physical health, and overall quality of life,
and seniors are a massive, often overlooked reservoir of
knowledge, skill, and mentorship just waiting to be activated.
In hospitality for example, immigrant business owners
account for approximately 40 percent of the industry. They're
often self-taught operating with passion, with little formal
business training. Imagine pairing these owners with retired
professionals who spent their careers, managing teams,
overseeing logistics, or running companies. This is a win-win.
The business gets expert advice. The seniors get purpose,
respect, and a chance to make an impact.
I applaud the work already being done by the Small Business
Administration and local chambers of commerce to support
mentorship, but the demand far exceeds the supply. SCORE, the
Service Corps of Retired business Rxecutives is a good example
which could use more resources. We need to make it easier and
more rewarding for seniors to step back into these roles or
even part-time or volunteer basis. The strength of this country
isn't found in a boardroom. Nope. It's not even found here in
the Senate. I dare to say it's found in a 34 million small
businesses across America that are part of their communities
that provide purpose, and in the millions of experienced
Americans who are ready to contribute, if only we give them the
opportunity.
Purpose is what gets us up every morning, and everyone
deserves to feel that purpose. Whether you're 22 or 72. Helping
others gives me purpose. Seeing dreams come back to life when
people think all is lost is one of the most meaningful things
I've done in my career. On tv, it may look like I have all the
answers, but I'm still learning every day. What I do have is 40
years of hard-earned lessons, and I'm here today to share what
I've learned, that age is not the end of value, it's the
multiplier of it.
Thank you, and I look forward to your questions.
The Chairman. Thank you. We all like your show.
Mr. Taffer. Thank you.
The Chairman. Also from the great State of Florida, I'd
like to introduce Dr. Paul Broadie. He's been the President of
Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Florida since February 2020.
Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his wave room
commitment to student success, innovation, and community
engagement. Under his leadership, Santa Fe College has
continued its tradition of academic excellence and expanded its
reach as an institution for both academic and workforce
education programs.
His vision for Santa Fe College is rooted in the pillars of
student success, institutional growth, innovation, and
meaningful partnerships. His leadership is marked by a deep
belief in the transformative power of education and a
commitment to shattering barriers that impede student success.
Thank you for being here, and please begin your testimony.
STATEMENT OF DR. PAUL BROADIE II, PRESIDENT,
SANTA FE COLLEGE, GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA
Dr. Broadie. Thank you. Chairman Scott, Ranking Member
Gillibrand, and members of the Committee, thank you for the
opportunity to speak with you today, and thank you for
centering this topic on an area that deeply resonates with the
work that we do at Santa Fe College and Community Colleges
across the Nation.
I want to thank Senator Scott and Senator Moody for their
ongoing commitment to expanding educational opportunities in
Florida. The Florida Public University and college system has
been ranked number one in the Nation for the past nine years.
Our state has kept tuition low and outcomes high, and our
community colleges have played a vital role in ensuring that
learning remains accessible at every age and every stage of
life.
At Santa Fe College and at our community colleges across
the country, older adults are not simply participants in
lifelong learning. They're contributors to the workforce,
they're mentors, they're role models, and they are tremendous
sources of wisdom for the students and the institutions around
them.
Last year alone, more than 90,000 Americans, aged 50 and
older earned a degree or certificate from a community college.
That reflects a powerful truth: older adults want to keep
learning. They want to remain engaged, and they want to stay
connected to a changing world. Community colleges are uniquely
positioned to support these individuals. At Santa Fe College,
more than 1200 of our degree seeking students are over the age
of 40. They are enrolled in programs such as health sciences,
IT, the trades, short term certifications, and apprenticeship
programs.
At our business incubators and business incubators across
the Nation, community colleges are housing older Americans who
are exploring how to turn their passions into businesses. At
Santa Fe College, we currently have 11 entrepreneurs in their
40's, 50's, and 60's, planning to launch a new business from
our business incubator. Stories like these are not rare.
They're part of the community college mission. Our commitment
to older adults also includes programs that help families in
those experiencing life transitions.
Santa Fe Colleges workforce award-winning program, ACB
Excel provides a two-generation model where we target
unemployed and underemployed individuals who are mostly over
the age of 40, and we provide them with short-term rapid
credentialing so that they can thrive in the workforce. These
individuals over the years, we've done it four years in a row
and the job placement rate has been a 100 percent. That
provides family stability for these individuals.
Another cornerstone of our efforts, are programs like our
Displaced Homemaker program. Over the past 40 years, we've put
4,500 individuals into our Displaced Homemaker program and
allowed them to reenter the workforce after the death of a
spouse, a divorce, or a major event. Programs like this provide
an economic pathway to stability.
Nationally, 63 percent of our veteran students are aged 30
or older. Santa Fe College and colleges across the Nation
provide vital avenues for veterans to transition from military
service to civilian careers. Beyond degrees, Colleges across
the Nation are offering a wide array of non-credit community
education courses to help older adults learn new skills,
explore hobbies, and start new businesses. Nearly 65 percent of
our community education participants are over the age of 50.
Florida, and many other states also offer the opportunity
for residents aged 60 and older to audit academic courses free
of charge. These students receive high access to quality
instruction without a financial barrier. We also partner with
retirement communities and assisted living centers to bring
educational experiences directly into the facilities for the
older learners, and our older adults, they volunteer on our
campuses, they serve on our advisory boards, and they volunteer
to teach at our institutions.
As this Committee considers the impact of seniors in
today's economy, I encourage you to continue recognizing and
investing in the vital role that community colleges play. We
are the most accessible point of entry into higher education.
We are local, we are affordable, we are flexible, and we are
deeply connected to the communities that we serve. With a
modest investment in community colleges, we can scale programs
that support workforce reentry, re-skill individuals, enable
individuals to launch new careers, improve mental engagement,
reduce social isolation, and promote lifelong learning.
Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Gillibrand, and members of
the Committee, when we invest in lifelong learning, we
strengthen our workforce and we build communities where every
individual, regardless of age, has the opportunity to learn,
contribute, and flourish.
Thank you for your time and your continued commitment to
America's older adults. Thank you.
The Chairman. Thank you for your testimony. Santa Fe has
been really successful for a long time. Jackson Sasser did a
good job, and you're doing a great job.
I'd like to welcome back before the Committee, Rachel
Greszler. She's a nationally recognized expert on workforce,
retirement, and fiscal policy. She's a senior research fellow
at the Heritage Foundation. She has spent over a decade
analyzing, advising on issues such as fiscal policy, pensions,
and labor policy. Before joining Heritage in 2013, she served
as a senior economist for the Joint Economic Committee of
Congress for seven years.
Her research is marked by a commitment to promoting
economic growth, individual freedom, and fiscal responsibility.
Her expectation and passion for practical people-focused
solutions make her an invaluable resource for today's
discussion on the role of purpose, responsibility, and
engagement in later life.
Thanks for being here and look forward to your testimony.
STATEMENT OF RACHEL GRESZLER, SENIOR RESEARCH
FELLOW, WORKFORCE AND PUBLIC FINANCE,
THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION, WASHINGTON, DC
Ms. Greszler. Thank you. Chairman Scott, Ranking Member
Gillibrand, and members of the Committee, good afternoon and
thank you for the opportunity to be here today.
I would like to focus on three points in my remarks. First,
is that demographic shifts mean that older Americans are
increasingly vital contributors to our economy. Second,
cultural ails cry out for older generations to impart their
wisdom, judgment, and resilience on younger generations, and
third, policymakers should make it easier for older Americans
to remain engaged in meaningful activities.
Older Americans currently make up a greater share of the
population and of the workforce than ever before, and that
trend will continue amidst a declining fertility rate, rising
life expectancies, and the aging of the baby boomers. By 2034,
there will be for the first time in history, more seniors in
America than there are children. The good news is that older
Americans labor force participation has been rising, and
because of health improvements as well as less physically
demanding jobs, studies show that there's room for even greater
expansion.
When I think about aging with purpose, I think about a
gentleman named Clement Troutman. Clement had a long and
successful career in the Navy, and then as a defense
contractor. Instead of retiring early, Clement decided at age
60 to pursue his dream of owning his own business, and he
opened a tropical smoothie cafe. Having turned 67 on Monday of
this week, Clement now operates that cafe, which is one of the
chain's most successful stores, alongside his daughter and he
also opened two more stores in 2025.
Now, these stores are clearly improving the economy, but
equally important is that Clements continued engagement is
improving people's lives. I can't give justice to the passion
and the joy that Clement has for his employees, or the positive
impact that I imagine he's having on them, other than to say, I
wish that my two teenage sons could be working for him.
Clement actually says he doesn't have employees. Rather, he
has team members. They're his dream team, and whether they are
high schoolers working part-time, or single parents providing
for their families, Clement sits down twice a year with each of
his team members to give them feedback on their work and see
how he can help them to reach their goals.
This influence of older generations setting standards and
mentoring younger ones is a prescription for reversing some of
society's most troubling trends. A recent Understanding America
study revealed the single biggest decline of any character
trait in recorded history, and that decline is in
conscientiousness among younger Americans ages 16 to 39.
Younger people today are more careless and distracted. They're
less tenacious and resilient. They make fewer commitments, and
they often fail to follow through on the ones that they do
make.
There are also four million fewer young people working
today than there were in 2000. Perhaps more than ever, younger
Americans need to engage with and learn from older Americans,
and while policymakers can't force these continued connections,
they can remove obstacles that make it harder for older
Americans to stay engaged. One way to do that is by eliminating
Social Security's retirement earnings test. These little-known
and outdated earnings test effectively takes away $1 in Social
Security benefits for $2 in every earnings over $23,000 per
year if those individuals are under age 67.
Now that can lead to marginal tax rates as high as 84
percent on middle income seniors, which not surprisingly causes
many of them to work less than they would otherwise choose to.
Eliminating the earnings test would increase employment,
increase incomes and economic output, and it would boost tax
revenues and actually improve Social Security solvency. It
would also eliminate all the confusion that seniors face with
this test, and it would make the Social Security
administration's job a lot easier. This could also offer a rare
bipartisan solution. After all the last time that Congress
addressed the earnings test in 2000, they passed a fully
bipartisan bill.
The Modern Worker Empowerment Act is another bill that
would make it easier for seniors to transition from traditional
employment into flexible contract-based work, and Senator
Scott's Health Freedom Accounts proposal would allow
individuals, including seniors to directly receive federal
healthcare subsidy and health savings accounts that they own
and that they can use for future healthcare costs instead of
that money going to insurers, even if they don't spend it on
healthcare.
Nothing I'm advocating requires any more or any less
government spending. By simply removing existing barriers,
policymakers can make it easier for seniors to strengthen the
economy and the fabric of society.
Thank you, and I look forward to your questions.
The Chairman. Thank you. Good job.
Now, I'd like to recognize the Ranking Member Gillibrand to
introduce the next witness.
Senator Gillibrand. Thank you, Chairman Scott. I want to
move to introduce our next witness, Christine Osasu. Ms. Osasu
has been director of the Senior Community Service Employment
Program at Legacy Link, Oakwood, Georgia for the past three
years where she champions economic opportunity and workforce
inclusion for older adults across Georgia.
Ms. Osasu expanded Legacy Link's reach through targeted
digital empowerment programs, helping older adults build
essential technology skills for today's job market. Previously,
she was the director of Strategic Marketing Communications
Grant Development at Habitat for Humanity of Hall County.
Ms. Osasu, you may begin your testimony.
STATEMENT OF CHRISTINE OSASU, DIRECTOR,
SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT
PROGRAM, LEGACY LINK, OAKWOOD, GEORGIA
Ms. Osasu. Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Gillibrand, and
distinguished members of the Committee, thank you for this
opportunity. It is a privilege afforded to very few to speak
before this esteemed body, and I do so with both deep gratitude
and a profound responsibility to the seniors in my community.
Their stories deserve to be heard, and I'm honored to share a
few of them with you today.
My name is Christine Osasu, and for the past 10 years, I
have served Georgia's most vulnerable populations. First at the
Habitat for Humanity and for the last four years as the
director of the Senior Community Service Employment Program at
the Legacy Link, a non-profit area agency on aging. Our SCESP
program serves 107 counties as a proud sub-grantee of the
National Council on Aging.
Today, I'm here to share how SCSEP has transformed lives,
empowering older adults to reenter the workforce, reclaim their
confidence, affirm their value, pay taxes, and take meaningful
steps toward self-sufficiency. I'm also here to share the
devastating impact of the four and a half month funding pause,
a crisis that left nearly 30,000 seniors across the country in
limbo without income, structure, or support. I'm grateful to
ranking member Gillibrand for leading a group letter,
addressing the funding delay, and to Chairman Scott and Ranking
Member Gillibrand for their bipartisan efforts to reintroduce
the Older Americans Act reauthorization.
SCSEP authorized under the OAA, is a federally funded job
training program for low-income seniors age 55 and up. It
operates much like a paid internship, providing seniors hands-
on training at nonprofit and government agencies. Host agencies
gain skill dedicated workers at no cost, many of whom
transition into permanent roles. Investing in seniors means
investing in experience, reliability, and resilience. Seniors
are valuable, capable members of the workforce who enrich every
organization they join.
When given the opportunity, these older workers support
themselves with dignity, reducing reliance on public
assistance. Mrs. Plant, age 59 shared her story. "After losing
my husband to COVID in 2020, I became homeless. Bouncing
between shelters and motels. SCSEP helped me stabilize my life.
It allowed me to cover basic needs, pursue training in medical
coding, and give back by serving meals at the soup kitchen.
Without it, I'd be at risk of losing everything again."
The critical role of SCSEP was apparent this year. The
Department of Labor's delay in releasing SCSEP funds furloughed
thousands of participants and dismantled the program's
infrastructure nationwide. The participants who faced this
leave without pay, suffer through missed meals, skipped
medications, unstable housing, grandchildren going without
school supplies, and growing uncertainty about the future,
especially as they were not eligible for unemployment, and
we're still rebuilding from this setback.
To some, a 7.25 an hour training wage may seem
insignificant, but for someone surviving on less than $1,600
per month, this paid training is a bridge to financial
security. A short while into the pause, an undeliverable letter
led to an unexpected heartbreak. When I called the participant
to verify his address, he said, "Ms. Christine, I wish I could
give you an updated address, but I don't have one. I couldn't
pay for my housing. I've maxed out my time in the shelter, and
now I'm living in a tent."
Regardless of income, seniors face persistent age
discrimination in the workforce. Imagine applying for a job
without an email or computer skills, a reality for many
seniors. SCSEP provides tools and training to overcome those
barriers. Last year, we launched a digital empowerment program
giving participants tablets and tech training, opening doors to
jobs and independence. SCSEP delivers a strong return on
investment by preparing seniors for meaningful employment,
benefiting not just the individual, but society at large.
Beyond financial security, SCSEP reduces social isolation
and boost mental and physical health, creating healthy,
engaged, older adults, a vital asset for our economy. With the
right tools and opportunities, seniors don't just participate,
they lead, mentor, and multiply impact. SCSEP is the key to
stronger businesses, reduced public spending, and a more
inclusive and resilient workforce.
Thank you for your commitment to our seniors. I urge you to
remain diligent in the fight for a better world for older
Americans because we are all aging and we deserve to age well.
The Chairman. Thank you very much. Now we're going to start
with questions with Senator Moody.
Senator Moody. Thank you, Chairman Scott, Ranking Member
Gillibrand, you have done such a great job of holding these
hearings and making them relevant to the issues that seniors
are facing today, and I commend you for that.
I don't know that the Aging Committee has ever been this
active, and I think it's fabulous. Coming from the Silver
State, the great free State of Florida, Senator Scott and I are
grateful and we're getting a lot out of these hearings. Thank
you to our amazing witnesses here today. I will note that two
of them are Floridians. One more recent than the other, but
certainly two are Floridians.
I wanted to start talking about a stat that workers ages 55
or older have been the fastest growing age group in the labor
force for more than two decades making up 24 percent of the
U.S. workforce in 2022, and they're going to continue to be a
vibrant part of our workforce. I don't think this is changing
anytime soon as we heard from one of our witnesses who provided
some great stats. Some never left the workforce. I think we
heard testimony of a specific case where they went straight
from retiring from a defense contractor into owning a tropical
smoothie. They never leave. There's never a break, and others
are trying to reenter the workforce. Some will face barriers to
that reentry.
We are hearing from institutions like Santa Fe Community
College or State College to talk about how they're assisting in
filling those learning gaps or helping retrain or re-skill
people to enter back into the workforce and offer training for
older adults, and while older adults can obtain the necessary
skills to succeed in the workforce, they can find employment,
expand their businesses, and build a community while supporting
themselves.
One of the things Mr. Broadie I think that's so great about
what you've done since you took over at Santa Fe, is you were
very focused not on the traditional array of available degrees
like associate's degrees, bachelor degrees, but you were
focused also on reskilling and upskilling opportunities, and I
think that you stated that you have been working with older
Floridians to receive credentialing and even other skills to
enter back into the workforce.
Just quickly, what is the primary motivating factor of
those that are seeking to do that at Santa Fe in their senior
years?
Dr. Broadie. The majority of them, it's a second career and
it's primarily focused on income, sustaining themselves
financially. We launched a CDL program, 46 percent of
participants were aged 50 and older. It was short term, so they
don't want to necessarily spend getting an associate's degree.
They want to do something short term that provides a financial
stability for themselves.
Senator Moody. I noticed that you--and I don't know that
you talked about this in your testimony, but in your biography,
you talked about offering scholarships for short term
credentialing. Are those also available for older Floridians?
Dr. Broadie. Yes. The ACB program that I spoke about is
open to all individuals that are unemployed and underemployed,
but that is fully funded by philanthropic dollars and the
majority of participants in there are older adults.
Senator Moody. I want to commend you for thinking outside
the traditional educational opportunities at our state colleges
and community colleges, even our universities. I think for so
long we have thought about college meaning one thing and trade
school or skills development, meaning something else, but in
reality, both are trying to skill people to enter into a
workforce.
If we're entering into a time period, and I believe it's
been banged into people's heads for so long that they should go
to college to be successful, and we've got to unwind what that
means. Success is actually getting a skill to be able to
provide for your family and having purpose in your life.
I love the colleges and institutions that are saying, okay,
what are our workforce demands right now in our area or in our
state? What are our companies and our businesses saying we need
this to thrive, we need this type of workforce, this skilled
workforce. I'm loving that colleges are thinking about, okay,
if they need these skills and if maybe these have been
credentialed and maybe different type of certificate program or
other type of program in the past, how can we blend that
together with a college degree and earn credits toward an AA?
Maybe they could start working right away and continue on and
get a degree later if they want, but it goes toward that.
Do you find that that's attractive not just to seniors, but
also younger folks that maybe really have that pull to go to a
college or a community college or even a university but yet
want to start working and want to get a trade and maybe do both
at the same time?
Dr. Broadie. That is very attractive, and one of the things
that we strategically do is we work very closely, you mentioned
it, with business and industry and we develop programs that are
matched to the needs of business and industry, and then we
create these stackable opportunities where you can get a
jumpstart, you can get out into the workforce, and then you can
come back to us and finish your degree, while you're working.
Senator Moody. Do it while you're in the workforce, right?
Dr. Broadie. Yes.
Senator Moody. I want to commend you for that, for
thinking--I noticed with your background and your initiative
since you took over, of course you're thinking outside the box
in the great free State of Florida, that's what we do. That's
why we're the number one college and university system in the
Nation, but I really do think we have to start thinking about
that for all of our colleges and universities.
If kids are drawn and seniors, really any stage of life,
are drawn to an educational institution, but want to get a
valuable trade and skill to work, how can we start blending
those? I really commend you for taking that step and making
that available and the great city of Gainesville, Florida.
Thank you.
The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Moody. I'll turn it over
to Ranking Member Gillibrand.
Senator Gillibrand. Thank you very much. I want to talk
about the funding freeze for the SCSEP program. Since this
hearing was originally scheduled for July, the SCSEP program
has experienced a four-and-a-half-month delay in federal
funding. This funding lapse was devastating, not only for SCSEP
staff, but also for program participants who saw SCSEP as the
last hope to rejoin the workforce.
As we heard earlier, for one older adult, this funding
lapse cost them their home. This year, billions in federal
funding have been delayed, withheld, and sometimes canceled
completely. The pain this causes is not abstract. It hurts real
people and especially the most vulnerable.
Ms. Osasu, can you please talk about the impact of this
funding lapse on your program and the older adults it serves?
Can you also elaborate on why this shouldn't happen again?
Ms. Osasu. Thank you, Ranking Member Gillibrand. The harm
of the funding pause cannot be overstated. The delay stripped
away hope from a people that were already very fragile, and in
most cases, SCSEP was the first employment opportunity that had
said yes to them in a very long time, in a long string of nos,
and when something like that happens, the harm is immediate. As
you know, this meant homelessness for some, others it meant
rationing their medication. One woman told me about how she was
splitting her pills and taking one here and one there instead
of taking the recommended amount because she didn't have
funding any longer.
It also took a mental toll on my participants who many of
them shared their suicidal ideation, their total loss of hope.
They didn't know what was going to happen. This was their
connection to the community. This was their income. This
informed every section of their life, and although the funds
were eventually released, the damage was already done.
Restoring funding didn't magically make their homelessness now
go away. It didn't cure the harm of that profound loss of hope,
and it should have never happened.
Programs like SCSEP are not luxuries they are investments
in vulnerable populations and older adults and investments into
our community, and when the funding is paused for any of these
necessary programs, the price is paid in human suffering, and
once the damage is done, there are no quick fixes.
Senator Gillibrand. In combating homelessness, this past
July, after sending a letter to the Department of Labor
demanding the administration release the SCSEP funding, I held
a listening session and heard from over 70 older adults about
the impact of the SCSEP funding pause on their careers and
daily lives. During this listening session, people talked about
the incredible purpose SCSEP gave them, as well as the tangible
impact it had on their financial health.
SCSEP serves people who have faced the most pressing
lifelong barriers to savings and employment. Can you share any
other stories about the SCSEP that SCSEP has helped people and
what ways it made a difference in lifting them out of their
dire circumstances and specifically combating homelessness?
Ms. Osasu. Thank you, Ranking Member Gillibrand for the
question. The first person that comes to mind for me is a woman
that I met in a rural mountain county in North Georgia. When we
first spoke, she was living in a tent on a mountainside. She
was clearly embarrassed of her situation. She was bathing in
perfume, doing the best she could to present herself in a
favorable light despite her situation. She was ashamed. She
told me how embarrassed she was to talk to her children. It put
this void in her life. She wasn't proud of herself and what was
going on.
SCSEP, we partnered with her. We worked step by step to
untangle these complex problems that people in poverty have,
and through her SCSEP job training program, we were able to
first find her a host agency where she could receive that paid
job training. She began training as a receptionist and then we
found her a room share situation so she had a place to live, so
it was just kind of each little piece at a time.
Tthat's what we do in SCSEP, is we identify their barriers.
We make a personalized job training plan and it has to address
all of those issues because you can't have a person get a job
if they are homeless, if they are not showering, if there's a
transportation issue. Transportation came up as well. Her truck
broke down. We worked with the host agency to be able to get
her a bus ticket so that she could get back and forth where she
needed to go.
If you met that woman today, you would have no idea that
she was living on a mountainside in North Georgia with these
types of problems, because she was able to rebuild her life,
but she needed the extra help. She was never going to do it on
her own. She needed a social worker to work through each of
those individual issues.
Senator Gillibrand. Thank you.
Ms. Osasu. Yes, ma'am.
The Chairman. Senator Justice.
Senator Justice. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member,
thank our witnesses. Now I'm going to go a little bit different
way because I'm not much of a politician and I'm a new kid on
the block here that's got a lot of white hair and maybe a
little bit of wisdom, but a whole lot of white hair.
Let me just say just this. If you could just think about
this, in the State of West Virginia where I'm from, there's
lots and lots and lots of seniors with lots and lots of
challenges and we all know that and everything. A lot of these
seniors are not quietly going into being seniors and they
absolutely desire so much, but absolutely we some way, somehow
have gotten completely away from it in my book.
You see, I think they want hope and they want belief and
they want interaction and they want goodness with young people.
They have an ability to contribute that's off the charts. We
need to quit teaching them how to play shuffleboard or teaching
them how to knit or teaching them how to be together with one
another. They don't want to be with other seniors. For god's
sake, for a living they want to be with kids. They want to be,
believe it or not, with baby dog, they want to be absolutely
with a purpose, with a challenge.
I wish to goodness we'd rename them instead of calling them
seniors, we'd call them wisdom. Because really and truly, why
should they be labeled? Labeled, "Oh, those are just seniors,
you know, they're very limited in what they can do." Well, I
don't believe that. I've never believed that. They could give
us so much it is unbelievable, and in so many situations we
just back away, and then we struggle with all the different
challenges that they may have, and they surely do have so many
obstacles. They're forgotten in too many ways.
We absolutely should remember that forevermore. Again, all
you witnesses are fantastic, and I salute the great job you do
in every way. You know, I've seen Brother Jon in action, you
know, and I commend you beyond belief because you're doing
something where you're stepping up. You're stepping up after
you're phenomenally, phenomenally, you know, successful in
every way, but then you're giving back and you're stepping up
and you're getting so many people involved it's unbelievable.
You know, I'd just like to just say this. First of all,
thank you to all. Jon, especially thank you to you. Let me just
ask just this. In West Virginia, we're growing in hospitality
like crazy, tourism is exploding in lots of different ways. You
need workers, you need absolute workers. You love to have
skilled workers. You love to have people that are genuinely
concerned and value the job.
You know, my question would be just really simple. You
know, how have you found and filled those positions? How,
absolutely can you tell us how you can work through the wickets
on the workforce gaps? Can you tell us just how strong the
contributors are when you get the right folks of our wisdom,
not our seniors, on day one?
Mr. Taffer. Thank you for the question, Senator Justice. A
quick story on what you said. Years ago when I was young and
not as wise as I am today, I had a senior mentor who walked
with a walker, and we would take walks together from place to
place, and I would ask questions and he would mentor me during
these walks. And as a young individual, I got so frustrated by
the pace of his walking until one day I realized, wait a
minute. The slower he walks, the more questions I can ask, the
more time I have to interact. And I learned to appreciate that
slow walk and the benefit I had once I had that realization was
very powerful to me.
You know, another story, sir, if I can I owned a restaurant
years ago that was losing a lot of money. I had tried a number
of managers and in my industry, finding management and human
resources has been a challenge for us for many years. There was
a gentleman who retired as an auto mechanic. He was almost 70
years old. He couldn't work with his hands anymore like he used
to.
You know, he knew supply, he knew training, he knew running
a business. He knew customer service. I gave this man the keys
to my restaurant. From losing over 200,000 a year, I started
making about 300,000 a year in almost no time. The employees
loved him. He elevated the team. He was a person of respect and
integrity. I share that there's a whole bunch of seniors that
are impacted.
The relationship with SBA to the mission of this Committee
is important too. As I travel across the country, I've helped
thousands of small businesses in almost every state of our
union. Every demographic, every market type you can imagine,
and the connectivity to seniors and small business is a
powerful one. When I look at the cost of living impact today,
post pandemic impacts today, you know, the SBA and the mission
of this Committee could be linked better.
You know, I look at how the SEC, for example, doesn't allow
an unaccredited investor to put everything on the line and lose
everything they own, but yet in a business environment, in an
SBA environment, that can happen, so I just want to iterate
that there's an opportunity to cross train, cross utilize
seniors that isn't quite realized.
One last point, as one who consults to large corporations,
many of them, and one who helps small businesses, my passion is
the small business. It's a lot easier to place a senior in a
smaller business than it is a major corporation. It just is.
That's just the way it is today. And again, I suggest that SBA
and the small business segment of America can help solve some
of the problems that we have in aging.
One more point, and then I'll be finished, Senator. When
you hire a senior person for a community-based business, that
older individual has hundreds of relationships in that
marketplace that the young employee does not have. It's a
marketing machine. It's a connective tissue to the community to
drive revenues. When we think of the relationship power of the
seniors, not only the experience, that's a powerful asset to a
business.
I think we would be better served if we communicated these
things to the marketplace better in that people don't want to
invest in a senior because they don't get the long-term
benefit, but business is about short-term objectives to achieve
long-term benefits. And those seniors can help with those
short-term objectives in every case. I hope I answered your
question, sir.
Senator Justice. You did very well, sir and I appreciate
you. Let me say one more thing before we leave, and that's just
this, our Chairman and our Ranking Member, they have done a
marvelous job. You should really be really proud of all the
good stuff you're doing, so I thank them too.
The Chairman. Thank you.
Senator Gillibrand. Thank you.
The Chairman. You know Jon, when my daughters worked at
restaurants in high school, I went there a lot more.
Mr. Taffer. Yep, that's exactly correct.
The Chairman. I can remember one of them, I really liked
the restaurant, but once she stopped working there, it was just
a little far, too far to go, but I went there every week when
she worked there.
Mr. Taffer. You know, we talk about connectivity for
seniors. When you work in a small business in the heart of a
town, it increases that connectivity too and that sense of
purpose for sure.
The Chairman. Yes. Generally, you know, there's some
studies that the number one reason people go to certain
restaurants or bars is that someone remembers them.
Mr. Taffer. No question. Especially when they connect with
you, you go back to see your buddy Joe.
The Chairman. Dr. Broadie, many older Americans are eager
to remain active in the workforce but need to update their
skills. How can our colleges and universities, especially our
community colleges expand access to affordable and short-term
programs tailored to seniors who want to re-skill or pivot
careers?
Dr. Broadie. I think colleges need to be very intentional
in working with the business and industry to determine where
the gaps are and what the needs are and then develop programs
such as what we've done, programs that specifically target
individuals and then train them for those skills. This way you
get to places of 100 percent job placement because the students
are trained for exactly what the employers are looking for.
It's been very successful at Santa Fe College. It's very
important that we are nimble and putting students into
employment that the employers are looking for, putting them
into degree programs and certificate programs that the
employers are looking for.
The Chairman. Yes, you have to think of a student that
finishes and there's no job where somebody--I mean, I think a
lot of schools around the country have lied to them. I remember
when I was Governor, I was talking to all these kids and
they're telling me about these degrees I said, "Is there even a
job?"
Rachel, you've written extensively about the economic value
of work across all ages. What trends are you seeing in senior
labor force participation and what policies can encourage older
Americans who want to start a business or keep working to do
so?
Ms. Greszler. One of the most positive trends, I think has
been the increase in the ability to work independently, whether
you call that freelancing, gig work, independent contractor,
but to be able to retire from the traditional nine to five job,
having to report to the boss on their time and to be able to
shift into this type of work. I've seen it in my grandfather
and in both of my parents. And it's just a way to be able to
remain engaged and yet to still have the freedom and the
flexibility to maybe go care for grandchildren, volunteering,
just pursuing those things that you wanted to do in your golden
years.
One statistic said that 29 percent of the baby boom
professionals are freelancing in some capacity. I think that's
a great thing, but there are additional steps that could be
taken to help make that more accessible. Particularly measures
that would allow those individuals to still be able to get the
traditional workplace benefits. Healthcare is extremely
important if you're not yet of Medicare age, but to be able to
have access to that healthcare.
There's things like the unlocking benefits for Independent
Workers Act that would allow those individuals to still
contribute into retirement account, still get that healthcare
from an employer, even if they're only a contractor. Definitely
clarifying the rule on who can and can't be an independent
contractor through the Modern Worker Empowerment Act would
help. Then your Healthcare Freedom Accounts proposal would be a
great way for individuals to be able to actually build savings
up that they can use even in the future when they are on
Medicare, but to have that money that could help them pay for
the out-of-pocket costs.
The Chairman. Perfect. Christine, many of the communities
you serve are rural or small towns. How does the "Aging with
purpose" conversation differ in those areas compared to urban
ones, especially in terms of civic engagement, job access, and
social connections?
Ms. Osasu. Thank you, Chairman Scott. That's an excellent
question. In the rural areas, we talk a lot about the digital
divide. I'm sure you've all heard digital divide. What we're
really saying is if they don't have access to internet, if they
don't have access to the training to utilize a computer or a
smartphone and so forth, they are suffering in this digital
divide. When we think about rural areas, there's going to be
less opportunity just by virtue of there's less businesses for
them to train at, less nonprofits for them to go gain skills
and so forth.
When we think about seniors in rural communities, we really
think about that digital divide and the way to address that, of
course, is to ensure that everybody has access to internet.
Then additionally, everyone has access to the training to
utilize that internet. As I said, we implemented a job training
program with tablets. You can't just hand a tablet and a
keyboard to a senior and say, "All right, you got internet, you
got your tablet, you're ready to go."
Now there's a few steps after that that have to be taken,
but once you take those steps, they can become data managers.
That's a real story I've seen that happen. Took a woman who had
never used a computer and two years later she got a job as a
data manager, so just a little investment goes a long way in
those rural communities.
The Chairman. Jon, what would you say to someone who is
later in their stage of life and is interested in starting a
business, but feels it may be too late?
Mr. Taffer. I think that, obviously there's mitigated
risks: location, finances, revenue, potential and all of that,
but, you know, if I could tell another story, I was told that
I'd never be on TV, Senator. I was told that I was too ugly and
not good looking enough, it'll never happen. One day I realized
that I'm the only person who can say no to me, and they're the
only person who can say no to them.
I would suggest that they say yes to that. And the other
interesting thing I would say is if a senior's going to get
into a small business today it's a different economic
environment and sure costs are higher. It isn't the cost
that'll take you down, it's the inability to manage those costs
that'll take a business down. It's management skills more than
the actual economic environment that we live in.
I think any dollar invested in the programs that you're
doing that provide budgetary management skills, supply side
skills, marketing skills, all of these skills will allow us to
thrive in almost any economic environment if we know how to
manage those costs well, and I think a lot of that is
education. You know, yesterday when I was speaking to minority
members, Gillibrand's team, we talked about 401(k)'s for a
couple minutes and the power of 401(k)'s. I said something I
had never quite thought about before. I see them smiling back
there.
You know, we talk about 401(k)'s, but we never sell it. We
never sell it. You know, we talk about the features of a
401(k), but do we ever really talk about the benefits? For
example, if you're 25 years old and you invest in a 401(k),
when you're 45 years old, you could be a millionaire. We never
send those messages that----
The Chairman. I remember back where I was working, they
never told me to do it.
Mr. Taffer. There's a pot of gold at the end of that.
The Chairman. Part of it is they were going to have to put
up some of the money.
Mr. Taffer. Yes.
The Chairman. Economics is telling them not to do it.
Mr. Taffer. Well, I had my own employees vote if they want
a 401(k) program or a bonus at the end of the year. They voted
for the bonus at the end of the year, but the fact is that's
very shortsighted. My point is, sometimes I think these things
could be sold in a more motivating way to create greater
participation.
The Chairman. Ranking Member Gillibrand.
Senator Gillibrand. Thank you. This is for all the
witnesses. I just want you to talk a little bit about why
working is so meaningful to our older adults. Older adults
often experience decline in social relations and their sense of
belonging, increasing the risk of isolation. The benefits of
social interaction and sense of belonging include emotional
health, physical health, enhanced cognitive function, increased
longevity.
Working can provide people with a strong sense of purpose,
and it fosters a feeling of contributing something bigger
themselves. The development of proactive mindset and building
relationships and records of achievement. We saw this in my
older employee, Geri Shapiro. She retired in her 80's. She was
the oldest federal employee in the whole Federal Government
ever. It's because she just loved serving the people of New
York. Not only did she have a sense of purpose, but she was not
only a mentor and a role model for all my junior staff, but
they all relied on her for advice and guidance. She had a sense
of family as well being part of our team.
I'd love to hear from you about what experience you've seen
in terms of work participation and opportunity impacting the
lives of seniors and what tangible society or the community
benefits are derived from that activity. Jon, you can start and
then we can go across the table.
Mr. Taffer. You know, earlier today the word hope was used,
and you know, when I find I'm a little unique because I go into
a struggling situation. They're in trouble when I walk in.
Their houses are on the line. Their family future is on the
line. Retirement dollars are at risk. It's a bad situation that
I walk into. Hope is gone.
I find that if I educate without the hope, I'm not
incentivizing progress. I think one of the greatest
opportunities we have is to instill hope in people who, no
matter what work we're all doing together, that hope is very
motivating. Hope and skill goes a long way, one without the
other, doesn't travel quite as far. I'll tell you, Senator,
when I work with these people and that hope appears, what
happens is physical. How you see their posture, their
activities change.
I've done 283 episodes of Bar Rescue, and at the end of
that episode, I always get a hug, but our microphones are on
our chests, so nobody hears what's said to me when that hug
happens. The things that are said is, "Jon, I have a future
again." "Jon, I'm talking to my son again." "I'm talking to my
dad again." "Boy, I can pay my bills." "Jon, you saved my
house." Everything they say isn't, thank you for teaching me,
it's almost, thank you for giving me hope.
Dr. Broadie. Thank you, and that's a great question. I'm
going to talk about, you mentioned mental engagement and you
mentioned social isolation. When our seniors engage with our
campus, I'll use one word, I see joy, and they get very
excited. I see joy on both ends. I see it from the seniors that
are engaging and the students that they're engaging with. The
students are gaining wisdom from these individuals.
We have an undergraduate research program and we have our
seniors come in and they get engaged with the students in
helping them with their research and judging the research
competitions. They're also engaged on our foundation boards.
They're engaged on our Advisory Committees. Some of these
individuals are retiring and they want to stay involved, and
they want to sit on our business Advisory Committee. We are
getting wisdom from their life experience.
We continue to engage our seniors, but when they step on
our campus and I chat with them, the word that I really can
describe is joy. They feel fulfilled. They feel like they're
giving back, and they truly are giving back to helping us
thrive as an institution and helping our students thrive
through mentorship and all the wisdom that they provide.
Ms. Greszler. Yes, humans have an innate desire, I would
call it, a God-given desire to be engaged in meaningful work
and to be engaged in meaningful relationships, and there is so
much value in that, and as Senator Justice said, just the
wisdom that comes from older individuals. An inevitable thing
about all of us is we're going to get older. To have those
examples in our lives is so important, and I think that it
would be, you know, just seeing it more at every level, whether
it's through volunteer work in the schools, just any ways that
we can have that intergenerational engagement, everyone will be
better for it.
Ms. Osasu. Thank you for the question. Work gives people
purpose. It gives them pride. It gives them a meaningful reason
to leave the house in the morning and get dressed up again. You
wouldn't believe how many seniors said the value in just
getting dressed, what that means for them, how it transforms
their day and their life.
A senior comes to mind, and she's one of the first clients
I ever worked with. Her name was Ms. Anna. She was in her mid-
70's, and she was training at a nonprofit thrift store. She was
cleaning the glassware and creating the displays and that kind
of business, and early on when I met her, when we were doing
this job counseling, we identified some mental health issues,
some paranoia, and other things of that nature, and what we
found is the more time she spent alone in her apartment, the
worse it got.
When she was able to start job training, and we had her
there five days a week, of course it didn't go away, it's not a
cure all, but work makes a meaningful difference for a person's
mental health. She began finding community within her work.
That's where she made all of her friends, all of the customers
knew her by name, and she just transformed into this smiley,
happy person, one of the hardest workers I know, and at 76 she
was hired on full time and she's still working now at 78, and
everyone who shops there knows her for her bright personality.
All of that was made possible through the job training and
getting a job.
Senator Gillibrand. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The Chairman. Dr. Broadie, just give me one story of a
business relationship you have that's helped people get a job
and a senior citizen get a job.
Dr. Broadie. [Off mic.] association, and through that
builders' association, we train apprenticeships. I remember the
last graduation that we had there was an individual--it was in
the electrical program, an individual that came across the
stage. He said, "I'm retired, but I wasn't ready to retire and
I've always wanted to be an electrician, and through this
apprenticeship, my dream has come true."
He was in his late 60's and walking across the stage,
preparing to start his second career.
The Chairman. That's a good start. Rachel, seniors
contribute more than just through paid employment. Can you
speak to the economic and social value of senior volunteerism,
caregiving, and civic leadership, and how we might better
recognize or support these contributions?
Ms. Greszler. Yes. Seniors have the highest volunteer rates
across America. Whether that's, you know, in hospitals, as
hospice assistance, and schools, at community organizations,
and seniors also are caring a lot for grandchildren. Among
seniors who have grandchildren under age 18, 20 percent of them
say that they are caring for those grandchildren on a weekly
basis if not more than that.
They're making these huge contributions, not just things
that they're getting paid for, but those volunteer and caring
activities as well.
The Chairman. You know, when I was Governor, I recruited
all these people to move to Florida and you feel sorry for some
of these states because people built these businesses and they
move and they take their charity dollars with them, they take
their volunteer hours with them, they take all those things,
and they really make it--like where I live, they make a big
difference.
Ms. Greszler. Yes, but oftentimes when an individual is
able to retire, they can still participate in that same
activity, you know, without charge. My mom is now working pro
bono, serving as a advocate for children in the court systems,
and so still engaging in the same thing she did before, but now
able to do it on a volunteer basis.
The Chairman. Yes, where I live in the high school training
programs, it's a lot of seniors are in there teaching a lot of
the trade now.
Christine, do you have any intergenerational initiatives in
your region where both seniors are working with young people?
Ms. Osasu. I love the question. Seniors love to interact
with young people. They love to interact with even babies and
children, and we have tons of host agencies that have daycare
initiatives and brother and sister type things. Both parties
really benefit because I think there's bias on both sides.
Seniors have biases about younger people. Younger people have
biases about seniors, but when they get to work together
closely, they can skate through those biases and learn, wow,
this person really has value and it's a two-way street when
they're working together in that capacity, and we love to see
something like that, yes.
The Chairman. Especially if they've never met somebody
that's similar to that person, whatever their characteristics
are.
Ms. Osasu. Right. They might not be used to seeing, you
know, a 75-year-old person doing something in their community
in that way, and when they see that this person, wow, they
still have a lot to offer, it's a different experience.
The Chairman. Jon, do you have any stories of seniors that
helped you turn something around?
Mr. Taffer. Yes. You know, I'm going to throw another word
into the mix if I can. I'm going to throw the word relevancy
into the mix, because, you know, I find when I give a senior
relevancy, whether it's training, relevancy, management
relevancy, any type of responsibility that creates relevancy, a
complete change in personality happens. That relevancy drives
so much of their energy each day when they wake up.
Imagine waking up in the morning and not having any
relevancy to anyone. Nobody's expecting you to show up anywhere
and nobody's expecting you to do anything.
The Chairman. Nobody calls.
Mr. Taffer. Working hard to provide that relevancy is a lot
of what I do, so let's say it's a generational business and the
son is taking over and the father is sort of retiring and he
sort of lost his purpose, and the son has sort of lost his
mentor, by creating relevancy for the father, I create
engagement for the father, the learning opens up for the son,
and that relevancy drives an awful lot if I focus on that one
point.
The Chairman. Well on behalf of Senator Gillibrand, I think
this has been--you guys have all done a good job. I mean, we
all know this is really important, and you know, as people age,
we have to figure out how to keep them with purpose, and help
them. There's a lot of good programs at the state level, at the
local level, not-for-profits, and federal level and we have to
make sure they're properly funded. You have anything else?
Senator Gillibrand. No, thank you.
The Chairman. I'd like to thank everyone for being here
today and participating. Look forward to continuing to work
with my colleagues to ensure every American senior has the
opportunity they deserve to make their retirement years the
best of their lives through continuing community involvement,
mentorship, and lifelong education.
If any senators have additional questions for the witnesses
or statements to be added, the hearing and record will be open
until next Wednesday at 5:00 p.m.
The Chairman. Thanks, everybody.
[Whereupon, at 4:43 p.m., the hearing was adjourned.]
======================================================================
APPENDIX
=======================================================================
Prepared Witness Statements
=======================================================================
U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging
"Aging With Purpose: The Positive Impact Of Seniors In Today's Economy"
December 10, 2025
Prepared Witness Testimony
John Taffer
Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Gillibrand, and members of
the Committee-thank you for the opportunity to be here today.
It's an honor to speak on a topic that's not only timely, but
personal: aging with purpose.I started in hospitality in 1973
as a bartender at Barney's Beanery in West Hollywood. Five
years later, I was running the Troubadour nightclub-where
legends took the stage and music history was made. By the
1980s, I was operating my own bar, and since then, I've owned
17 different hospitality businesses. These days, I'm perhaps
best known as the executive producer and host of Bar Rescue.
What I do on that show is really about one thing-helping people
find their purpose again, often when they've lost all hope.
I've been fortunate to work with hundreds of business
owners on Bar Rescue, many of whom were hanging on by a thread-
financially, emotionally, or both. What turns things around
isn't just better finances or improved operations. It's when
people reconnect with a sense of purpose-when they remember why
they started, and who they're doing it for.
That doesn't just apply to small business owners. It
applies to all of us-especially as we age.I've seen firsthand
the moment when a senior regains a sense of purpose. I change
the lives of seniors often-whether it's through my show,
mentorship programs, volunteer work, or even rejoining the
workforce. When they see hope and feel accomplishment, they
light up. Their energy, commitment, and attitude often rival
employees half their age.
So many people lose purpose in phases-first when their kids
leave home, then later when they retire. Without the structure
of a job, coworkers, or daily goals, they're left unanchored.
We spend decades striving-raising families, building careers,
solving problems-and suddenly, that drive doesn't have anywhere
to go.
When even a small sense of accomplishment or a chance to
help someone re-enters their lives-when they become part of a
team again or offer guidance to someone just starting out-it's
powerful. It changes lives. And in some cases, it extends them.
That's not just anecdotal. Research shows people who have a
sense of purpose live longer, healthier lives. Purpose improves
mental health, physical health, and overall quality of life.
And seniors are a massive, often overlooked, reservoir of
knowledge, skill, and mentorship just waiting to be activated.
In hospitality, for example, immigrant business owners
account for approximately 40% of the industry. They're often
self-taught, operating with passion but little formal business
training. Imagine pairing those owners with retired
professionals who spent their careers managing teams,
overseeing logistics, or running companies. That's a win-win.
The businesses get expert advice. The seniors get purpose,
respect, and a chance to make an impact.
I applaud the work already being done by the Small Business
Administration and local Chambers of Commerce to support
mentorship-but the demand far exceeds the supply. We need to
make it easier and more rewarding for seniors to step back into
these roles, even on a part-time or volunteer basis.
The strength of this country isn't found in a boardroom.
It's not even found here in the Senate. It's found in the 34
million small businesses across America-and in the millions of
experienced Americans who are ready to contribute, if only we
give them the opportunity.
Purpose is what gets us up in the morning. And everyone
deserves to feel that purpose-whether you're 22 or 72.
Helping others gives me purpose. Seeing dreams come back to
life when people think all is lost is one of the most
meaningful things I've done in my career. On TV, it may look
like I have all the answers, but I'm still learning every day.
What I do have is 40 years of hard-earned lessons. And I'm here
today to share what I've learned: that age is not the end of
value-it's the multiplier of it.
Thank you, and I look forward to your questions.
U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging
"Aging With Purpose: The Positive Impact Of Seniors In Today's Economy"
December 10, 2025
Prepared Witness Testimony
Paul Broadie, MD
Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Gillibrand, and Members of
the Committee:
Thank you for the opportunity to testify on the critical
role community colleges play in empowering older Americans to
remain active, engaged, and economically secure. I am honored
to speak on behalf of Santa Fe College and the more than 1,000
community colleges serving over 10 million students nationwide-
institutions that stand at the intersection of lifelong
learning, workforce development, and community well-being.
Santa Fe College has been continuously recognized for
excellence, including:
Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence as the
Nation's #1 Community College;
2025 Carnegie Foundation Classification, recognized for
providing higher access and higher wages to students and
graduates, with SF graduates earning 30% more than the regional
average;
#1 graduation rate for the Florida College System with
an 85% student success rate;
Best for Vets, with the college being named one of the
best colleges for military and military spouses; and
An economic impact of $413 million, supporting 4,866
jobs locally.
Thanks to the support from our community, state, and
federal partners, we continue to build on that success while
keeping college affordable.
Community colleges are designed for expanding access to all
learners across our communities and regions. They serve
learners of every age, background, and stage of life. Today's
hearing topic - Aging with Purpose: The Positive Impact of
Seniors in Today's Economy- aligns directly with the mission of
our institutions.
From helping older students gain basic computer skills to
participate in today's technological society, to breaking
cycles of poverty by supporting parents and their school-aged
children, to ensuing that everyone in our community, regardless
of age, has the opportunity to interact and engage with each
other, community colleges in general, and Santa Fe College in
particular, is in a unique position to support older learners.
I. Older Americans Are a Growing and Vital Part of the
Community College Population
Community colleges have become one of the nation's largest
access points for older Americans seeking new skills, new
opportunities, or a renewed sense of purpose. According to
national data from the Association of Community College
Trustees, more than 90,000 individuals aged 50 and older earned
a degree or credential in the 2023-2024 academic year, a
substantial share through community colleges.
Older learners enroll because they are:
Reentering the workforce
Pivoting into new career fields
Seeking rapid reskilling
Remaining mentally active
Engaging socially and civically
Reskilling for a second career
Pursuing lifelong passions
Their participation strengthens the workforce and enriches
classroom learning.
At Santa Fe College-a reflection of national trends-462
degree-seeking students were age 50 or older last year, with
more than 1,200 over age 40. These students are enrolled in
areas such as Health Services Administration, Nursing, and
Programming & Analysis.
The stories of our older graduates illustrate the deep
value of community colleges as engines of lifelong opportunity.
Judith, age 65, completed her associate degree after
first enrolling four decades earlier.
Carlos, age 81, graduated from our Phlebotomy
certificate program, excelled during clinical rotations at UF
Health, and continues to pursue additional credentials today.
These individuals embody purpose, persistence, and the
spirit of learning that fuels America's economy.
Beyond our degree-seeking students, the Oak Hammock and
Village at Gainesville retirement communities frequently engage
with the college by taking classes, attending Fine Arts and
other cultural events at the college, and serving as judges of
student research process.
II. Community Colleges Offer the Most Affordable and Accessible
Pathway to Rapid Reskilling and Economic Mobility
Older Americans often seek education that is affordable,
flexible, and aligned with real employment opportunities.
Community colleges deliver on all three.
Affordability
Community colleges remain the most cost-effective
institutions in higher education. Many states - including
Florida- allow residents aged 60 and older to audit courses at
no cost, providing robust intellectual engagement without
financial strain.
Accessibility
Community colleges are geographically embedded in nearly
every community - urban, suburban, and rural - making education
physically accessible to older adults.
Workforce Relevance
Community colleges collaborate directly with industry
partners to offer short-term, employer-driven programs in high-
demand fields such as healthcare, IT, advanced manufacturing,
and public service. For older Americans seeking rapid
reskilling, these programs provide pathways to sustainable
employment and economic stability.
Additionally, at Santa Fe College, we have quick,
stackable, credential courses to help enhance a student's
existing skills. For example, we have physicians taking Biotech
courses within our Emerging Tech programs to hone their skills.
III. National Exemplars of Community College Innovation
Across the country, community colleges design programs
tailored to adults experiencing transitions, returning to the
workforce, or supporting multigenerational households. Santa Fe
College demonstrates two such models that illustrate how
community colleges can transform lives on a national scale.
The Displaced Homemaker Program: A Lifeline for Adults Re-
Entering the Workforce
For more than 50 years, Santa Fe College's Displaced
Homemaker Program has provided critical support to individuals
- often older adults - who must return to the workforce after
the death of a spouse, divorce, or a major change in life
circumstances. Many completers of the program have landed
gainful employment opportunities as a result of the skills they
learned.
More than 4,500 individuals have benefited from:
Career counseling
Digital literacy training
Job readiness and professionalism workshops
Personalized financial literacy support
Confidence building
Job placement support
Programs like this, mirrored in other states, demonstrate
how community colleges help older adults overcome barriers,
rebuild stability, and access high-demand careers.
The ACB Excel Program: A National Award-Winning, Two-Generation
Model for Economic Mobility
Another nationally recognized example is Santa Fe College's
ACB Excel Program, which takes a powerful, innovative approach
to strengthening families and improving economic outcomes.
Although rooted in our community, it represents the type of
visionary model that can be scaled across the nation.
ACB Excel empowers entire families by providing parents and
their school-aged children with simultaneous access to academic
programs, support services, and enrichment activities. This
two-generation framework is free for all participants and has
proven to be a catalyst for economic and social mobility. It
also addresses the growing trend of grandparents raising their
grandchildren and needing to reskill to enter the job market.
Parents:
Enroll in rapid credentialing programs that lead to
high-wage, in-demand jobs
Receive personal financial literacy education
Work directly with academic and career success coaches
Build connections to employer partners through job
placement pipelines
Children:
Engage in hands-on STEM and literacy activities
Participate in teamwork and resilience-building
programming
Receive social-emotional and academic support
Experience a stable, enriching environment while parents
pursue training
The program fosters deep community impact through:
Volunteer opportunities
Mentorship and internship connections
Employment pathways
Cross-generational learning and engagement
By strengthening both parent and child simultaneously, ACB
Excel directly enhances economic stability, workforce
participation, and long-term family well-being. It exemplifies
the kind of community-integrated learning model that community
colleges nationwide are uniquely positioned to deliver.
IV. Lifelong Learning Supports Healthy Aging, Mental Well-
Being, and Social Connection
Community colleges also play an essential role in
supporting older adults outside the traditional workforce.
Nationwide, colleges offer:
Noncredit lifelong learning courses
Arts, humanities, and enrichment activities
Health and wellness education
Technology and digital literacy workshops
Civic engagement opportunities
Programs like Santa Fe College's Community Education
program- where more than 65% of students are age 50 or older-
provide critical social connection, intellectual stimulation,
and community belonging. These are proven contributors to
healthy aging and reduced social isolation.
Community colleges further strengthen communities through
intergenerational learning, where older adults serve as
mentors, volunteers, research judges, and advisory board
members.
V. Supporting Older Military Veterans: A Critical Part of Our
Mission
Military veterans- many of whom return to education later
in life - represent one of the most important older adult
populations served by community colleges.
According to the Postsecondary National Policy Institute,
nationwide 63% of veteran students were aged 30 or older\1\,
and many face unique challenges including career transitions,
disability accommodations, and the loss of military community.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Postsecondary National Policy Institute, "Veterans in Higher
Education: Fact Sheet," April 2025, https://pnpi.org/wp-content/
uploads/2025/05/Veterans--FactSheet--Apr25.pdf
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Many colleges provide a veteran student support center on
campus. Santa Fe College's Veterans & Military Success Services
is a national model for how community colleges can support
these learners. The program provides:
Dedicated academic advising and transition support
Assistance navigating VA educational benefits
Mental health counseling and a supportive environment of
peers
Priority registration and textbook assistance
Partnerships with local employers committed to hiring
veterans
Specialized career pathways for veterans entering fields
such as public safety, logistics, nursing, and IT
Santa Fe College is proud to have been named "Best for
Vets", reflecting our commitment not only to active-duty and
retired service members, but also to older veterans seeking
meaningful second careers.
Many of our older veteran students choose programs that
build on their military experience - advanced manufacturing,
first responder programs, logistics, cybersecurity - as well as
others who pursue new callings in healthcare, social services,
or business.
Supporting veterans supports our workforce, strengthens
families, and honors national service.
VI. Policy Recommendations to Support Purposeful Aging Through
Community Colleges
To enhance the role community colleges play in
strengthening the lives of older Americans, Congress may
consider:
Expanding federal support for short-term, stackable
workforce credentials
Supporting two-generation learning models that benefit
entire families
Investing in digital literacy initiatives for older
adults
Funding wraparound services that reduce barriers for
older learners
Supporting replication of programs like Displaced
Homemaker and ACB Excel
These investments strengthen not only older Americans, but
our workforce, our communities, and our economy.
Conclusion
Older Americans bring wisdom, experience, dedication, and
purpose to our campuses and our communities. Community
colleges- accessible to all and responsive to local needs- are
uniquely positioned to help them continue contributing to the
nation's economic vitality and civic life.
Through rapid workforce training, two-generation learning
models, enrichment programs, and community-based partnerships,
community colleges provide older Americans with the tools to
remain engaged, productive, and connected. Programs like the
Displaced Homemaker Program and the ACB Excel Program show what
is possible when community colleges are empowered to innovate.
Thank you for the opportunity to offer this testimony. I
welcome your questions and look forward to working with the
Committee to strengthen opportunities for older adults across
our nation.
***SEE NEXT PAGE FOR SANTA FE COLLEGE ATTACHMENT***
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging
"Aging With Purpose: The Positive Impact Of Seniors In Today's Economy"
December 10, 2025
Prepared Witness Testimony
Rachel Greszler
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging
"Aging With Purpose: The Positive Impact Of Seniors In Today's Economy"
December 10, 2025
Prepared Witness Testimony
Christine Osasu
Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Gillibrand, and
distinguished members of the Committee, thank you for the
opportunity to speak before you today. It is a privilege
afforded to very few to address this esteemed body, and I do so
with both deep gratitude and a profound sense of responsibility
to the seniors in my community. The stories and struggles of
our seniors deserve to be heard, and I am honored to share a
few stories with you today.
INTRODUCTION
My name is Christine Osasu, and for the past ten years, I
have dedicated my career to serving some of Georgia's most
vulnerable populations-.rst as a loan originator with Habitat
for Humanity, and for the last four years as the Director of
the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) at The
Legacy Link, a nonprofit and designated Area Agency on Aging.
Our mission is to empower aging adults and individuals with
disabilities by connecting them to resources to be their link
to a better life. Our SCSEP program serves 107 counties across
Georgia as a proud subgrantee of the National Council on Aging
(NCOA).
Today, I'm here to share how training through the SCSEP
program has transformed lives-empowering older adults to
reenter the workforce, reclaim their confidence, affirm their
value, and take meaningful steps toward self-sufficiency. I'm
also here to share the devastating impact of the SCSEP funding
pause-a crisis that left nearly 30,000 seniors across the
country in limbo, without income, structure, or support\1\.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ U.S. Dep't of Labor, National Quarterly Progress Report (July
7, 2025), https://cmp.dol.gov/suite/sites/dol.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am deeply grateful to Ranking Member Gillibrand for
leading a group letter to the Labor Secretary regarding the
SCSEP funding delay, and to Chairman Scott and Ranking Member
Gillibrand for their bipartisan efforts to reintroduce the
Older Americans Act (OAA) reauthorization.
SCSEP, authorized under the OAA, is a federally funded job
training program for low-income seniors aged 55 and older. It
functions much like a paid internship for seniors. Participants
receive hands-on training at nonprofit and government agencies,
where they gain new skills. The host agencies benefit from
having experienced dedicated workers-at no cost-who often
become permanent employees. We serve those seniors who have the
most signi.cant barriers to employment, and we have a proud
history of pulling people out of homelessness and reducing
reliance on public assistance programs.
SCSEP has existed since 1965, and for good reason: it
works. It is a lifeline for seniors who want to work, who need
to work, and who still have so much to contribute.
BARRIERS SENIORS FACE
While working combats social isolation and improves mental
and physical health, make no mistake-SCSEP participants are not
working for enjoyment\2\. They are working to survive. To
qualify for the program, seniors must have incomes at or below
125% of the federal poverty level, which is approximately
$1,600 per month for a single person. With the rising costs of
food, housing, healthcare, and more, these limited-income
seniors are struggling to pay for basic necessities. As people
are living longer, they need more in savings to sustain them,
and many have no savings at all, living paycheck to paycheck.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ U.S. Dep't of Labor, PY 2020 Nationwide Participant Evaluation
of SCSEP (Mar. 25, 2022), https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/.les/ETA/
seniors/pdfs/PY2020%20Nationwide%20Participant%20Survey%20Report--
3%2025%202022.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seniors are strong and resilient-but they are also growing
tired of being left behind by systems that are becoming more
automated and less human.
Seniors face real and persistent age discrimination in the
workforce. They also face technological barriers that make even
applying for a job feel insurmountable. "[They] find themselves
beautifully equipped for a world that no longer exists." -Eric
Hoffer
Imagine trying to navigate today's job market without an
email address or basic computer skills. For many older adults,
this is a reality. That's where SCSEP steps in-empowering
seniors with the tools and training they need to navigate the
digital world.
Last year, Legacy Link launched a Digital Empowerment
Program that provided participants with tablets and hands-on
instruction in essential technology skills, from job searching
to basic office software-opening new doors to employment and
independence.
IMPACT OF THE PAUSE
Due to a delay in releasing FY25 funding by the Department
of Labor to the national grantees, most SCSEP participants were
placed on an unpaid break for four and a half months. This
pause in SCSEP funding greatly harmed older adults who were
already facing the most significant barriers to employment.
The majority of SCSEP funds directly pay for participants'
wages. For many, this pause meant missed meals, unstable
housing, and growing uncertainty about the future, especially
as they were not eligible to collect unemployment during the
pause.
In Georgia, the $7.25-per-hour SCSEP training wage may seem
insignificant to some, but for someone surviving on less than
$1,600 a month, this paid training is a lifeline. When training
was paused-it wasn't just an inconvenience. It had life-
threatening consequences for our seniors: homelessness, skipped
medications, food rationing, and grandchildren going without
school supplies.
A heartbreaking story from North Georgia illustrates the
devastating impact of the pause.
A short while into the pause, an undeliverable letter
led to an unexpected heartbreak. As usual, I called the
participant to verify his address when the letter was returned.
I anticipated a routine conversation-but his words stopped me
in my tracks. When asked for his updated address he said, "Ms.
Christine, I wish I could give you my updated address, but I
don't have one. I couldn't pay for my housing, I've maxed out
my time in the shelter, and now I'm living in a tent."
Our seniors want to work-and many must work. Social
Security alone is not enough to survive. When the SCSEP program
is paused, the impact is immediate and devastating.
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC IMPACT
Older adults want to work. When given the opportunity, they
support themselves with dignity, reducing reliance on food
stamps, subsidized housing, and public assistance.
Ms. Plant, age 59, shared her story:
"After losing my husband to COVID in 2020, I became
homeless-bouncing between shelters and motels. SCSEP helped me
stabilize my life. It allowed me to cover basic needs, pursue
training in medical coding, and give back by serving meals at
the soup kitchen. Without it, I'd be at risk of losing
everything again."
Healthy, engaged older adults are a vital asset to our
economy. With the right tools and opportunities, they don't
just participate, they lead, mentor, and multiply impact.
Investing in seniors means investing in experience,
reliability, and resilience. They are valuable, capable members
of the workforce who enrich every organization they join.
SCSEP delivers a strong return on investment by preparing
seniors for meaningful employment-bene.ting not just
individuals, but society as a whole. SCSEP is the key-to
stronger businesses, reduced public spending, less social
isolation, and a more inclusive, resilient workforce.
Thank you for your commitment to improving the lives of our
seniors. I urge you to remain diligent in the fight for a
better world for older Americans-because we are all aging, and
we deserve to age well.
=======================================================================
Questions for the Record
=======================================================================
U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging
"Aging With Purpose: The Positive Impact Of Seniors In Today's Economy"
December 10, 2025
Questions for the Record
John Taffer
Ranking Member Kirsten E. Gillibrand
Question:
Based upon your experience providing advice and guidance to
older Americans who remain actively employed, have you found
the Social Security special earnings limit rule to serve as an
impediment to work and gainful activity?
Response:
I believe it is absolutely a deterrent. If someone has to
go back to work, it is because their current benefits and
income are not fully supporting them. Penalizing them for
earning a living creates an unnecessary obstacle to keeping up
with the cost of living and unfairly punishes their effort to
stay productive. Going back to work at that stage of life
should provide stability, dignity, and a better quality of
life. Benefit reductions should never work against that."
U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging
"Aging With Purpose: The Positive Impact Of Seniors In Today's Economy"
December 10, 2025
Questions for the Record
Paul Broadie, MD
Senator Raphael Warnock
Question:
More than one in three older adults live in rural Georgia,
where they face disproportionate barriers in accessing skill
development opportunities. On December 9, 2025, I co-led the
introduction of the Pathways to Prosperity Act, which would
improve the Department of Labor's Strengthening Community
Colleges Grant Programs. This legislation would help community
and technical colleges expand career pathways and strengthen
partnerships with employers, so students can develop skills
aligned with the needs of industries.
How would promoting collaboration between community and
technical colleges and employers improve job training
opportunities for seniors in rural Georgia and support rural
economic growth?
Response:
Community and technical colleges are deeply rooted in the
communities and regions they serve. This makes these
institutions uniquely positioned to partner with area employers
to identify skills gaps and create the programming necessary to
address industry needs today and into the future. At Santa Fe
College, we know the most effective workforce solutions begin
by listening to our local employers so we can provide career
pathways in alignment with employers.
By working together with industry, community and technical
colleges can develop practical, targeted, and scalable programs
that lead to relevant, in-demand jobs in our communities. These
programs enable students of all ages to take advantage of
relevant short term in demand training opportunities that
provide avenues for upskilling, reskilling, and rapid entry
into employment, and stackable credentials providing
opportunities for upward mobility enabling continued education,
training and professional growth while earning.
For example, Santa Fe College launched an innovative, two-
generational program - ACB Excel. The program, Achieve,
Conquer, Believe, provides short-term training programs for
unemployed or underemployed individuals raising their children
or grandchildren. These programs are designed in partnership
with employers based on employer needs and area demands. While
they are receiving the training, their school-aged children are
receiving STEM-focused academic enrichment. Now in its fourth
year, this program has a 100% job placement rate, with many
participants also choosing to continue their education to
further expand employment opportunities.
Utilizing employer-driven pathways creates real
opportunities for students, particularly in rural communities
where industry partners may be limited and industry training
needs tend to be more specific. Programs that support flexible
schedules, employ apprenticeship, and "earn while you learn"
models are successful, and make training opportunities more
accessible, especially for adults who may be balancing
caregiving, and other barriers that may impede access to
training and ultimately impact their entry or reentry into the
workforce or ability to earn a livable wage.
Legislation like the Pathways to Prosperity Act allow
community and technical colleges like Santa Fe College to
expand these partnerships, scale proven models, and respond
even more effectively to regional workforce needs.
Additionally, supporting and funding apprenticeship programs
would encourage more employers to partner with colleges to
develop a skilled workforce. These partnerships support career
coaching, skills refreshers, and on-the-job training, which are
critical for helping older workers transition into new roles.
With the right support, we can continue building clear,
flexible pathways connecting people to opportunity and ensuring
communities have the skilled workforce needed to thrive.
Investments that support the growth of a talented workforce
have a direct positive economic impact on the community and aid
in the recruitment, retention and growth of business and
industry in the region, rural or otherwise.
U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging
"Aging With Purpose: The Positive Impact Of Seniors In Today's Economy"
December 10, 2025
Questions for the Record
Rachel Greszler
Ranking Member Kirsten E. Gillibrand
Question:
As your written testimony highlights, existing statutory
and regulatory requirements can at times serve as barriers for
the employment of older Americans. In your view, what should
policymakers be aware of when considering potential updates to
the Social Security special earnings limit rule, including from
both policy and administrative perspectives?
Response:
Social Security's retirement earnings test creates a
significant administrative burden for the Social Security
Administration (SSA) and causes widespread confusion and
behavioral changes for older Americans who are subject to the
earnings test.
SSA administers benefits to approximately five million
beneficiaries who receive early retirement benefits and thus
could be subject to the retirement earnings test if they earn
more than $24,480 per year in 2026. The test requires SSA to
track the earnings of all individuals who receive early
retirement benefits, and reduce benefits by $1 for every $2 in
earnings over the $24,480 threshold.
In recent years, over 500,000 Social Security recipients
have had their benefits reduced or eliminated as a result of
the earnings test. Applying the test requires SSA to
continually monitor and estimate earnings and, when applicable,
to reduce monthly Social Security payments that would otherwise
remain consistent aside from annual cost-of-living adjustments.
Most Social Security recipients do not understand the
retirement earnings test. When their benefits are reduced, they
often do not know why and they subsequently seek information
either via phone calls or in-office visits to the SSA.
According to a February 2024 letter from the SSA's Office of
the Inspector General, "In FY 2021, SSA spent approximately $70
million in administrative costs to enforce the earnings test."
Since application of the earnings test typically requires
the SSA to estimate earnings, it inevitably results in
inaccurate payments including both overpayments and excessive
benefit reductions. According to the same 2024 letter, the
SSA's OIG estimated that "SSA:
inaccurately calculated approximately 47,000 of the
294,000 earnings-test overpayments established in FY 2021,
totaling more than $148 million;
inaccurately paid approximately 9,000 beneficiaries
approximately $29 million based on estimated earnings that were
more or less than their actual earnings; and
did not timely pay approximately 176,000 beneficiaries
approximately $81 million in monthly benefit increases., the
SSA issued 294,000 earnings-test overpayments."
These inaccurate payments cause further administrative
costs for the SSA and further confusion and financial
uncertainty for Social Security beneficiaries.
In addition to administrative costs and improper payments,
the retirement earnings test discourages work. As a widely
misunderstood test that is perceived as an additional 50
percent tax on certain earnings, many beneficiaries who are
subject to the test reduce their earnings to avoid benefit
reductions.
Per your specific question on the policy and administrative
considerations that policymakers should be aware of when
considering an update to the earnings test:
The retirement earnings test generates no net revenue
for the Social Security programs. Multiple government sources
have estimated that eliminating the earnings test would
slightly improve Social Security's solvency.
Eliminating the retirement earnings test entirely would
be the most effective reform. Fully eliminating the test would
largely eliminate associated administrative costs as well as
all confusion caused by the test and all negative impacts on
work and earnings.
Raising the earnings threshold would deliver
significant efficiencies, but it would still require the SSA to
monitor and estimate all earnings of people under the normal
retirement age, and to apply the test to a smaller number of
recipients. Moreover, while a higher earnings test could
significantly reduce the number of individuals subject to it,
and thus the test's work disincentives, it would still cause
confusion and reduced work for a smaller number of
beneficiaries.
Eliminating the retirement earnings test would require
special treatment for current beneficiaries between the ages of
62 and 66 who have been subject to the test in the past. In
addition to immediately ceasing application of the test, the
SSA would need to decide whether to apply the test's benefit
adjustment at those individuals' normal retirement ages (as
currently done), or to apply the adjustments immediately. This
would not represent a new administrative function as the SSA
already calculates this benefit adjustment.
Eliminating the retirement earnings test could have
spillover benefits for the administrative costs and the payment
integrity associated with other government benefit programs,
including but not limited to: Medicaid, ACA subsidies, Medicare
savings programs and low-income subsidies, heating assistance,
and food stamps (SNAP). Stabilizing Social Security benefit
payments would improve income measurement for these programs,
improving eligibility determinations and payment accuracy.
I estimate that eliminating the retirement earnings test
would: increase the labor force by a range of 166,000 to 1.035
million; Increase older Americans' annual earnings by $10.5
billion to $65.9 billion per year; boost annual Social Security
revenues by $1.3 billion to $8.2 billion per year, and;
increase total annual tax revenues by $2.9 billion to $18
billion.
The United States' current demographic, fiscal, and
cultural challenges could all be improved by an increase in
older Americans' continued workforce participation.
U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging
"Aging With Purpose: The Positive Impact Of Seniors In Today's Economy"
December 10, 2025
Questions for the Record
Christine Osasu
Senator Raphael Warnock
Question:
On July 1, 2025, the Department of Labor halted Fiscal Year
2025 funding for the Senior Community Service Employment
Programs (SCSEP), leaving more than 1,000 low-income seniors in
Georgia without stable income to afford rent, groceries, and
life-saving medications for over four months. President Trump
also proposed to eliminate SCSEP and replace the program with
state block grants for Fiscal Year 2026.
How would the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act
enhance the long-term stability of SCSEP?
Response:
The Older Americans Act is foundational legislation that
affirms our national commitment to older adults. It tells
seniors that we value their contributions, we care about their
well-being, and we intend to uphold the promise that every
person deserves life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
The OAA is the statutory backbone of the Senior Community
Service Employment Program. SCSEP does not exist in isolation-
it is part of a broader ecosystem of services authorized and
supported through the OAA. Reauthorization strengthens that
entire infrastructure. It provides continuity, predictability,
and the long-term stability needed for programs like SCSEP to
operate effectively and plan for the future.
When Congress reauthorizes the OAA, it sends a clear and
unmistakable message to older Americans: you still matter, and
we remain committed to investing in your ability to live with
dignity, purpose, and economic security.
For SCSEP in particular, reauthorization provides the
stability needed to continue connecting low-income older adults
with job training, community service roles, and meaningful
pathways back into the workforce. It preserves their connection
to community. It preserves their sense of purpose. For many
participants, it quite literally ensures they have a reason to
get up and get dressed in the morning-a structure, a
contribution, and a place where they are valued.
In short, reauthorizing the Older Americans Act is a
reaffirmation of our commitment to seniors and a critical
safeguard for the long-term stability of SCSEP and the many
lives it touches.
Question:
What would happen to Georgia seniors if SCSEP were
eliminated?
Response:
Prior to the funding pause, approximately 900 Georgia
seniors were participating in SCSEP job training.
Unfortunately, the 4.5 month pause gave us a painful preview of
what happens when this lifeline is disrupted. That experience
informs my answer today.
Eliminating SCSEP would send a devastating message to older
Georgians-that they do not matter. Our budget decisions reflect
our values, and when we withdraw support from programs like
SCSEP, we are signaling who we believe is worthy of investment.
Many of these seniors already feel hopeless, isolated, and
left behind. For countless participants, SCSEP was the first
"yes" they had heard from the workforce in years. It restored
dignity, purpose, and the belief that they still had something
to contribute. Ending the program would undo that progress and
leave them feeling discarded once again.
The consequences would be severe. Some seniors would face
homelessness. Others would be forced to ration medication. Food
insecurity-already a daily reality for many-would worsen.
Grandchildren who rely on their grandparents' modest support
would go without basic supplies. And for too many, the loss of
SCSEP would trigger profound depression and even suicidal
ideation, as their last connection to community and purpose is
severed.
Programs like SCSEP are not luxuries. They are essential
investments in vulnerable older adults and in the well being of
our communities. When funding is disrupted, the cost is
measured in human suffering. And once that damage occurs, there
are no quick or easy fixes.
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Statements for the Record
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U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging
"Aging With Purpose: The Positive Impact Of Seniors In Today's Economy"
December 10, 2025
Statements for the Record
AARP Statement
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U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging
"Aging With Purpose: The Positive Impact Of Seniors In Today's Economy"
December 10, 2025
Statements for the Record
Lauren S. Marinaro, Esq., Statement
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U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging
"Aging With Purpose: The Positive Impact Of Seniors In Today's Economy"
December 10, 2025
Statements for the Record
National Academy of Elder Attorneys Statement
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U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging
"Aging With Purpose: The Positive Impact Of Seniors In Today's Economy"
December 10, 2025
Statements for the Record
Ryann M. Siclari, Esq., Statement
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