In the survey, 46 per cent of people agreed with the proposition that older members of staff should retire so that younger workers could have a genuine chance of promotion Continue reading
A new report from the National Institute on Retirement Security, based on analysis of the 2010 Survey of Consumer Finances, shows that about 45 percent of all working-age households don’t hold any retirement account assets, whether in an employer-sponsored 401(k) type plan or an individual retirement account Continue reading
In the search for solutions to Europe’s youth unemployment crisis, governments are blowing the cobwebs off a decades-old idea that many economists had hoped would remain in the attic for good. Governments are considering using money from the European Union budget to fund early retirement for older workers. The idea is to free up positions … Continue reading
At one time, many people in the Western world anticipated retiring in their 50s or 60s. Now, they are embarking on new careers at the very time that they might have previously been expected to begin a life of leisure. Increased longevity and a drive to keep contributing to society have led to what are … Continue reading
Study by Prudential finds many people are facing a bleak financial outlook, with 14% relying solely on state pension One in five people retiring in Britain in 2013 will fall below the income poverty line according to a study by Prudential, which also found that nearly a quarter of women will enter retirement entirely dependent … Continue reading
‘In order to address an immediate and long-term funding problem, the Social Security Amendments of 1983 gradually increased the Full Retirement Age (FRA), changed the actuarial adjustment for individuals claiming benefits between the early and full retirement ages, and increased the delayed retirement credit. Together, these changes increase the financial gain to individuals who delay … Continue reading
Lisbon plans to increase the retirement age and make public sector employees work an extra hour daily as part of a package of new spending cuts needed to avoid bankruptcy and remain in the euro. Lisbon plans to raise the retirement age and make public sector employees work an extra hour daily as part of … Continue reading
Long after the debt crisis is over, Europe will be grappling with an even more serious problem – how to pay for growing numbers of old people. The population of some countries is stagnant or already shrinking, notably Germany’s. That will reduce savings and potential economic growth. The workers who remain are getting older and … Continue reading
Q: In terms of the evolution of America’s retirement health, we’ve moved from defined benefit programs, pensions, to defined contribution. … Describe what’s happening to our retirement health as these [different] instruments are introduced and the rush of people into mutual funds. … … In my new book, which is called The Clash of the … Continue reading
A sweeping pensions shake-up would see people forced to work longer, hand over more of their income, and be means tested on payments they receive. The recommendations are contained in a hard-hitting report from the OECD and strongly signal that the retirement age — already set to be pushed back to 68 — should be … Continue reading
ICI recently released their retirement plan data through Q3 of 2012. The chart of the day shows the real (inflation adjusted) total retirement market assets per working age citizen in the U.S. This includes IRA’s, defined contribution plans, private defined benefit plans, state and local government pension plans, federal pension plans, and annuities. The good … Continue reading
“Retirement involves a set of institutional arrangements combined with socio-cultural meanings to sustain a distinct retirement phase in life course and career pathways” writes Leisa D Sargent, Mary Dean Lee and Bill Martin. (Quotes from the Abstract to follow) In this Introduction to the Special Issue: ‘Reinventing Retirement: New Pathways, New Arrangements, New Meanings,’ we outline the historical … Continue reading
For public sector workers across the country, the difference of a couple of years, months or even days when starting on the job could mean the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars in retirement benefits. Facing ballooning bills and strained budgets, 45 states have either cut pension benefits or increased mandatory employee retirement plan … Continue reading
Retirement security for those currently or recently in the middle class is no sure thing. 49% of the private work force has neither defined benefit (traditional pensions) or defined contribution (401(k)) retirement plans, while public sector pensions are coming under increasing attack. The United States has the highest elder poverty rate, 25% (measured as 50% … Continue reading
According to a new report released by The Conference Board, older workers intend to postpone their retirement now more than ever, despite a recovering U.S. economy. Using data from the August 2012 Consumer Confidence Survey, Trapped on the Worker Treadmill? documented a sharp increase in plans to delay retirement among workers between the ages of 45 … Continue reading