As economist Gary Becker notes in his blog, expansion of means-tested benefit programs also contributed to the slow recovery by making people less willing to work full-time.
On the other hand such workers may be more flexible on pay, particularly if employers are willing to offer part-time work, which many older people prefer.
It's a sign of the times when out-of-work footballers are willing to pay for the privilege of going on trial in the hope of winning a part-time contract.