Bermuda launches policy guide to retain workers aged 65 and older

Bermuda’s ageing population and widespread labour shortages are prompting a new focus on retaining older workers, the Ministry of Economy and Labour announced with the release of a 19-page policy guide for employers.

The Retaining Bermudian Workers Aged 65+ Policy Guide for Employers offers strategies to “retain, re-engage and support Bermudian workers aged 65 and older” as part of a national plan to strengthen the workforce. The guide echoes the ministry’s 2022 report, Addressing the Challenge of an Ageing Population, which highlighted the island’s demographic challenges.

Minister of Economy and Labour Jason Hayward said retaining older employees is essential for maintaining a strong economy and continuity in essential services. “We must retain the skills, knowledge and mentorship capacity of our older Bermudian workers,” he said. “Age inclusion is not just a social good; it is a strategic economic imperative.”

The guide recommends practical measures, including phased retirement, structured re-employment, part-time work, skills-based hiring, mentorship, job redesign, mid-career reskilling, and continuous training. It also suggests creating opportunities for second careers and consulting roles while removing age-biased language from recruitment practices.

According to the ministry, adopting these strategies can strengthen succession planning, reduce turnover, and improve overall business performance. Minister Hayward noted that even retaining a small portion of older workers can make a significant difference, citing their leadership, institutional knowledge, and longstanding client relationships as key assets.

The policy guide is available on the Ministry of Economy and Labour’s website.