It's a very good question. I don't want to speculate, but it's a reality that in today's economy there is new technology emerging, and it's changing fast. It's possible that some people may not have kept their skills up to date, and when they happen to lose their job, they have to reinvest massively to be able to find a job in a similar occupation, since an employer might require a higher level of skill or knowledge of new software or technology. That may be one explanation: technological change.
Although we hear from employers that they value older workers, there's some indication that there could be discrimination sometimes. The employer may think twice before investing in the training of an older worker, who may not have many years to spend in the workplace, compared with a younger worker. That is something employers may have in mind. We sometimes hear in our consultations with workers that they felt they were discriminated against in that they could have brought value to a company but they felt that they were not given a chance.
I would say that the importance of this loss of benefits could depend on a person's circumstances. For example, it is more difficult for low-skilled workers to find their way back into employment. If you have a disability, if you are a recent immigrant, we know it is more difficult. There are factors associated with the individual that may make it more difficult to find a network and get back into a job quickly so that they don't lose their skills.