The sluggish economy has led many seniors to postpone retirement, according to a news report.

The percentage of U.S. residents ages 55 to 64 in the workforce rose from 63.3% in April 2007 to 64.8% in February 2008, an increase of more than one million workers, according to The Wall Street Journal. Also during that time period, the share of those ages 65 and older now working rose by more than 212,000 workers.

There are upsides to older people working longer, the Journal found. There would be less financial burden on Medicare and more experience in the workplace.