This chart from the WSJ over the weekend highlights a troubling trend. Labor force participation is up for prime-age workers age 25 to 54 but down for teens, workers in their early 20s, and those over the age of 55.

It’s bad news that young men are working less, because early-in-life entry into the workforce is associated with higher lifetime earnings.

The decline in labor force participation for older Americans is worrisome.  We need the boomers to be working longer than earlier generations did, because we are healthier and there are so many more of us.