The further one digs into today's "blockbuster" jobs report, the uglier it gets. Because it is not only the participation rate collapse, the slide in average earnings, but, topping it all off, we just learned that the future of the US workforce is bleak. In fact, with the age of the median employed male now in their mid-40's, the US workforce has never been older. Case in point: the September data confimed that the whopping surge in jobs... was thanks to your "grandparents" those in the 55-69 age group, which comprised the vast majority of the job additions in the month, at a whopping 230K.This was the biggest monthly jobs increase in the 55 and over age group since February!

What about the prime worker demographic, those aged 25-54 and whose work output is supposed to propel the US economy forward? They lost 10,000 jobs.

Of course, don't expect any of this to be mentioned on any financial entertainment outlets: it would spoil the party of today's "surging" jobs day.

Then again in retospect, it has never been a stronger labor market. Well, if you are 55 and over that is, the age group that just hit a record 32.6 million in jobs.

Some addition detail:

Here is the breakdown of job gains by all age groups since the start of the depression in December 2007: 5.5 million jobs "gained" in the 55-69 age group. What about the core, 25-54 demographic? Negative 2.04 million.

In fact, looked at differently, it continues to be a story of two labor forces - those aged 55 and older, and everyone else.

And finally, putting it all in context, here is the reason for the drop in the labor force participation rate. Apparently someone forgot to tell those 55 and older they are retiring in droves.

Source: BLS