Press Release: Councilmember Todd Introduces Bill to Incentivize Small Businesses to Hire Senior Citizens

News Release — Ward 4 DC Council member Brandon Todd

January 7, 2020

CONTACT:

Eric Feldman

This Bill Creates a Tax Credit for Certified Business Enterprises and Small Business Enterprises that Hire Employees 65 Years of Age or Older

Washington, DC – Today, Councilmember Brandon Todd (D-Ward 4) introduced the “Senior Employment Tax Credit Amendment Act of 2020.”

Seniors citizens are often an overlooked group when employers look to hire. Seniors sometimes face a disadvantage in the hiring process because employers feel that they will not be long-term team members or may not be as mentally fit. Ironically, the exact opposite is often the case. Furthermore, seniors sometimes miss job postings that are exclusively found online – where the overwhelming number of jobs are advertised in today’s day-and-age. Councilmember Todd is introducing this legislation to encourage Certified Business Enterprises (CBE’s) and Small Business Enterprises (SBE’s) to hire senior citizens.

“Many of Ward 4 seniors are eager to get to work,” Councilmember Todd said. “However, they face obstacles and are often victim to the false judgement that they would not be as good of workers as their younger peers, which simply is not the case.  Many seniors are not able to rely on social security alone, may not qualify for social security, or may just want to continue working. Research indicates that working at older ages can help keep seniors mentally sharp, physically active, and socially connected. As a city, we should incentive small businesses to hire seniors.”

Specifically, this legislation creates a tax credit for CBE’s and SBE’s to hire individuals 65 years of age or older.

Between the 2000 and 2010, the number of people age 65 to 74 in the labor force increased by 54.8%. Currently, approximately 6.5% of the workforce in the United States is comprised of unemployed senior citizens, indicating that there are many seniors willing and eager to work.

This legislation will be referred to the Committee on Business and Economic Development.

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