WORKING AFTER RETIREMENT ...
... is the plan for 69% of midlife and older workers. Such workers will tend to stay with employers who offer flexible hours, training and good pension benefits, according to a study of 1,500 workers ages 45 and up by the American Association of Retired People. The 194-page report, "Staying Ahead of the Curve: The AARP Work and Career Study," is a free 1-megabyte download at this AARP site.

AARP Honors 15 Employers as Best Companies for 50+ Workers
[AARP - 23 September 2002] AARP today announced its selection of 15 "Best Companies for Workers over 50." This is the second annual Best Companies search by the non-profit organization. "At a time of widespread reports of questionable corporate practices, these companies have shown a better side of business," said AARP President James Parkel, in announcing this year's honorees.

Recommending an Hour a Day of Physical Activity Will Create Barriers to Exercise for Older Adults, Says International Council on Active Aging
[International Council on Active Aging - 24 September 2002] VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- New dietary guidelines from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommend that people exercise for 60 minutes every day to avoid weight gain as they age. But the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), the world's largest senior fitness and wellness association, is concerned the IOM's recommendation will have an unintended negative impact on mature adults. Colin Milner, the ICAA's CEO, warns that the IOM's 60-minute guideline may actually increase barriers to exercise for aging adults.

Centenarian Research Scientist Named America's Oldest Worker: Dr. Ray Crist, 102, is a Professor at Messiah College
[ARLINGTON, VA - 18 September 2002] At a news conference in Washington, D.C., today, Experience Works, the nation's largest provider of training and employment services for older workers, announced that Dr. Ray H. Crist, 102, professor of Environmental Science at Messiah College, is America's Oldest Worker for 2002. This special recognition is part of the Experience Works(SM) Prime Time Awards Program, the only national program that, each year, honors the contribution of working seniors.

Hobbling along
[Economist.com Cities Guide: Singapore Briefing - September 2002] Having the second-fastest ageing population in Asia is not something pension-conscious Singaporeans usually cheer about. But so much grey can bring business as well. The United Nations' International Institute on Ageing, based in Malta, announced in late August that Singapore may soon host the region�s first geriatric training centre. The Singapore Action Group of Elders, which will convene the planned centre, already runs courses on geriatrics and gerontology. Only Japan, with the region's most elderly population, might have been a better choice.

Two documents on employment and older workers ...

Improving employment opportunities for older workers: Developing a policy framework (PDF)
[Philip Taylor, Cambridge Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Ageing, University of Cambridge - Keynote: Summary of EU expert presentation on Getting the Policy Framework Right at The Ninth EU-Japan Symposium Improving Employment Opportunities for Older Workers - 21-22 March 2002 - Brussels, Belgium] The trend towards early retirement and low employment rates among older workers (in the European Union) have a complex set of causes and that public policy efforts so far have made little impact on the problem. ... Only through an integrated and co-ordinated approach aimed at stimulating the social partners and individual workers to change their behaviour will public policies be able to make a sufficient impact on the employment rates and retirement patterns of older workers. Crucial to the degree of success will be the ability of policy makers to make policies sufficiently sensitive to the peculiar needs of both different groups of workers and employers.

Analysis of ways to improve employment opportunities for older workers (PDF)
[Philip Taylor, Cambridge Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Ageing, University of Cambridge - Report to the European Commission - November 2001] This report examines the issue of age and employment within the context of the European Union. It provides an overview of trends in the labour force participation of older workers and explores factors affecting their employment and orientations to work and retirement. Additionally, evidence on employers� attitudes, policies and practices towards older workers is reviewed.