Baby Boomers are lucky – they have just the one nickname, which lets folks know they were born between 1946 and 1964. They’re followed by Generation X – those born between 1965 and 1980.

It’s difficult to tell exactly what the magic age is that marks passage into Senior Citizens. It ranges from 55-65, and sometimes even younger.

On a trip to Canada a few years ago, a couple of local women stopped at a fast food drive-thru in Brunswick, ordered coffee and a breakfast sandwich, and were delighted to receive the coffee at no charge. “Seniors get free coffee”, the girl behind the counter said. The two women were aged 49 and 50 and explained this, but the employee said that anyone 50 or older was considered a senior citizen – at least at that establishment.

And what’s the preferred category? What do people want to be called? Some dislike “senior citizen” and prefer to be referred to as “mature”, “older”, “elders” and even “seasoned.” There’s an additional category called “working seniors”, and well over half of Americans 65 and older belong to this group.

Working senior citizens comprise a large percentage of Maine employees. James McGrath, Program Coordinator for the Governor’s Senior Community Service Employment Program reported in January 2005 that there were over 300 workers all over the state, participating in the SCSEP, which is sponsored by the U. S. Department of Labor and funded by Title V of he Older Americans Act. The SCSEP is just one of a very large group of organizations devoted to employment issues of the older worker.

Many employers prefer older workers because they bring a unique presence of work ethic, responsibility, dependability and maturity. Locally, employers point out other reasons for hiring older people: Experience, low-cost benefits (most already have health insurance, for example); and of course, they’re dependable.

“They come to work on time – and always come to work!” one supervisor said. “And they are resourceful – can figure things out – they’re polite, too.”

Seniors who find part-time local jobs are also appreciative of the opportunity to earn the extra dollars provided. An informal survey recently found that eight out of ten working seniors were not just filling their retirement years. “We work because we have to,” was what one retired professional said. “We’d rather be on a cruise, but…”

Before retirement, though, the mature employee sometimes finds a subtle discrimination taking place in their workplace. They may have issues with having a younger manager or supervisor. There are reports of seniors finding it difficult to obtain employment or advance in their careers, allegedly because of their age. However, the majority of retired people are employed, some full-time. A great many of those working part-time, do so in a position totally unrelated to what they did prior to retirement.

For those who are able to work, and want or need to, there are a variety of resources available through the Maine Jobs Council, Seasoned Workforce Program and the SCSEP, to name just a few sources. Local employment agencies may also be helpful. Volunteer opportunities abound, through agencies including Southern Maine Agency on Aging, PROP, and area non-profit organizations.