Work past 65 seen good for workers, economy

Both older Americans and the economy would benefit from federal policies encouraging work past age 65, a private economic research group reported to a congressional panel on aging. The panel is considering legislation to close loopholes in laws against age discrimination that leave about half the nation's workers under mandatory retirement policies.

The Data Resources Inc. study said a principal benefit of encouraging the elderly to continue working past age 65 would be reduced financial pressure on the financially troubled social security retirement system.