Most here know where I generally stand, but I think that stat is a little misleading. As the artical states, the percentage is affected when baby-boomers reach the 55 and over mark. 25-54 is a much higher participation rate, then 55+. So if you have more people reaching 55+ than reaching 25-54, the overall number will dip. However, there is still a decrease in participation levels from this 25-54 age group, as a graph posted here a few days ago pointed out. Maybe not as high, but nonetheless still a decrease.
Truth is, there continues to be less and less incentive for lower income people to work. In some cases, these people make less money working minimum wage jobs than what they get between wellfare, food stamps, and other credits offered by the federal government. Until the government handles these types of programs on a localized level, you will see a continued rise in low income families taking advantage of the wellfare system. I understand that by doing that we may pay more taxes, but it also provides more jobs (I know......government jobs), but also insures the people getting the benefits actually deserve them, and the lazy moochers can take a hike. I think the government fails to understand that the majority of people are willing to pay more taxes as long as it's being given to people that actually need it, than those that CHOOSE to need it.