Labor force participation rates for the years 1967 and 1987 indicate a significant trend toward early retirement by men (beginning in their fifties). Women in their fifties, on the other hand, have increased their labor force participation rate. By the age of 60, however, their labor force participation rates also decline sharply. Although this decline in labor force participation rates is expected to continue, the large increase in the number of persons who will be in their fifties in the year 2000 will counterbalance their declining labor force participation rates, thus appearing to slow (but not actually slowing) the trend toward declining participation with age. Part-time and self-employment will likely continue to increase among older workers. Here too, however, participation rates fall off sharply for persons aged 65 and older. The distribution of older Americans by geographic area is likely to be another important factor in the labor market picture in the year 2000. Success in bringing the older person into the work force will depend on strong, responsive, imaginative programs of assessment and testing and counseling and training, reinforced by strong job development programs focusing on job design related to kinds of work, hours and days of work, and so on. (MN)