Volunteer Participation and Time Commitment by Older Americans

Using the 1989 Current Population Survey, this study profiles elderly volunteers ages 55 and older, identifies volunteer organizations served by the elderly, and examinesfactors associated with volunteer participation and time volunteered by the elderly. Results of tobit model with sample selection indicate that thefollowingfactors are positively related to participation in volunteer work: being afemale, being married, living in the Midwest, having a high income, having an advanced education, owning a home, and seeking employment (for retired group). Living in a large city and having a large household size are negatively related to volunteer participation. Factors affecting time volunteered by the retired are college education, home ownership, and presence of children younger than age 18. Implicationsfor volunteer organizations are presented.