Retirement patterns are changing in the U.S. and in many other countries as well. During the 
mid-to-late 20th century, labor force participation rates dropped for older workers and rose for younger ones. These trends have recently reversed, especially among men and younger workers.
The reversal is expected to continue, according to Towers Watson’s 2013/2014 Global Benefit Attitudes Survey (GBAS). Increasing numbers of employees are postponing retirement, many driven by financial necessity. And many of the employees putting off retirement tend to fit a certain profile: less healthy, highly stressed and disengaged from their jobs.
Plan type affects retirement timing as well, with defined benefit (DB) plan participants retiring earlier than employees with only defined contribution (DC) plans, even where counter influences exist. These findings have implications for employers as they provide some indications of which employees are likely to delay retirement and why.
Key findings
- 34% of workers under 40 believe that retirement delays among older workers are restricting their career opportunities.
- Aside from retirement savings, health and stress have the strongest links to retirement timing.
- Offering employees greater retirement security can help employers cultivate a less stressed, healthier and more engaged workforce.
Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor. Read the whole story at Which Employees Are Delaying Retirement and Why – Towers Watson
Related Posts
Boomers vs Youth on the Worplace – No crowding out but, tension at the individual level
In a series of recent client notes, consulting firm Mercer urges companies to recognize the tension between young and old at work, and to plan for baby boom workers to hang on to their jobs. “For those who choose to retire, many are going to realize … they don’t have enough money to sustain themselves, … Continue reading
Youth Transitions in Europe – Those countries with quicker and more successful school-to-work transitions are those where young people leave home earlier says report
Young people in Europe continue to experience great difficulties in entering the labour market. Although the youth unemployment rate in a few Member States has started to fall, overall 23% of young European job-seekers aged 15–24 could not find a job in January 2014. In 2012, 14.6 million young people across Europe were not in … Continue reading
Crowding out younger workers ? / Older workers do not squeeze out younger employees research finds
Despite popular belief and media reports, there\’s no evidence that older workers who stay on the job longer squeeze out opportunities for younger employees. That\’s the conclusion of a comprehensive analysis and paper prepared by the Center for Retirement Research (CRR) at Boston College. While there might be some instances of older employees crowding out … Continue reading
Study – Older employees not crowding younger ones out of work
Despite conventional wisdom that older workers who are delaying retirement are squeezing younger employees out of a jobs, a new study found no support for that thinking – and even some evidence that the older workers maybe helping the next generation. “Our estimates show no evidence that increasing employment of older persons reduces the job … Continue reading
Older Workers Don’t Crowd Out Younger Workers For Jobs
How often have you heard people say that older workers putting off retirement and staying on the job longer means fewer opportunities for younger workers? Well, a new report finds just the opposite is true. Researchers for the Pew Charitable Trusts looked at the government’s Current Population Survey for data on workers ages 20 to … Continue reading
Where The Jobs Are: ZeroHedge on The Jobs Gerontocracy
Tyler Durden of ZeroHedge writes: A good jobs report? Sure, if one is 55 and over. In December the American jobs gerontocracy continued its relentless course … some 2.7 million jobs in the 16-55 year old category have been lost. The “offset”: 4 million jobs for Americans between 55 and 69. For all those young people … Continue reading »
Canada / Job gains: thanks to older workers
Sometimes age and experience can pay off. In Canada, as in many other countries, an aging population can face financial uncertainty as it heads toward retirement. But for now, older workers are in big demand in the workplace. Canada’s see-sawing labour force swung back into job-creation mode in February, with a net 50,700 people finding … Continue reading »
UK / Training Older Workers / 92% of employers don’t invest in training of over 60
A recent poll of UK CEOs has uncovered a worrying neglected generation of older workers. This new research, commissioned by Skillsoft, reveals that 92% of UK business leaders openly admit they don’t invest in training and development for employees over the age of 60. With many employees now choosing to work past the traditional retirement … Continue reading »
Job Market Monitor 
Discussion
No comments yet.