US researchers and the US Census Bureau report that more older workers are still on the job due to lack of sufficient pension or guaranteed income for retirement. In 2010 alone, more than 40 percent of people over the age of 55 were on the job, the highest level in 35 years.

Now comes the question: As an older worker, is your age a plus or a minus in the workforce? In a recent poll carried out by Knowledge Networks with 1,160 baby boomers, 25 percent said their age was an asset and 14 percent said their age was a liability. The majority, 61 percent, said it was not an issue at all.

From the point of view of the Gen X’s and Y’s at work, age comes with wisdom, and boomers find that younger co-workers seek their advice more now than in their younger years, and one-third say their employer treats them with greater respect.

But on the flip side, older workers say that their issues in the workplace relate to age discrimination; for example, being passed over for promotion, a raise, or certain assignments. The issue was more prevalent for those who earned a lower income.

According to Peter Cappelli, author of Managing the Older Worker: How to Prepare for the Shift in Authority, age discrimination often stems from the fears younger bosses have on managing the older worker. Cappelli advises boomers to assure the boss that you are okay with being managed by a younger boss, give examples of challenges you have handled well before, and show that your skills and abilities are up-to-date.

In light of this last point, it is important for boomers to keep up with technology, for if you don’t have technology skills then that can contribute to the stereotype about you, the older worker. You can prevent this by taking online classes, or even mentoring a younger worker in what you know, in exchange for them helping you with tech skills.

Older workers won’t be leaving the workforce any time soon. One in four boomers don’t plan to ever retire. But two-thirds say they’ll work at least part-time past retirement for the extra income or just to stay busy.

Talk to us! Do you view your age as a plus or as a minus in the workplace? Do you believe that age is a deficit to retaining and becoming re-employed after a layoff? Do you think that hiring people over the age of 50 is expensive and costly to the workplace?