Current demographic trends in New England point to a potential shortage of skilled labor as the Baby Boomers begin to retire over the next few years and the region's working age population begins to shrink. With current benefits and workplace policies that nudge older workers in the direction of retirement, older workers are one of the largest untapped human capital resources in the region.

The New England Public Policy Center's 4th annual conference explored the role that older professionals can play in meeting the region's labor force needs over the next 20 to 30 years. The conference featured presentations that investigated the changing demographic and labor force trends in New England and the US and examined what employers, employees, and the public sector could do to lengthen the labor force participation of the population age 55 and older.