The testimony provided in these hearings addresses the most fundamental problem facing older Americans today, i.e., economic security. The report discusses the results of expanding social services and income transfer programs to reduce poverty, and examines ways to increase older adults' economic self-sufficiency through expanded employment…

Many factors are contributive to a rise in the rate of remarriage among older adults. Statistical and survey data on the condition of the elderly suggest that: (1) the number of elderly marriages has increased dramatically in recent years; (2) improved health status allows older adults greater socialization and mobility which greatly enhance the…

Presents four papers discussing issues in the regulation of employer pensions, trends in pension coverage and benefit receipt, restrictive pension provisions and older workers, and indexing retirement benefits. (JAC)

This paper questions whether there is sufficient evidence, as presented in the popular press, to support special action to increase the supply of college and university faculty. The higher education popular press has published several forecasts of faculty shortages due to the mass retirement of expansion era faculty and the forecasted low numbers…

During the last century the population over age 65 in America has increased fourfold. This dramatic increase requires careful economic and social planning and preparation by society, and consideration of specific programs and policies by Congress. Areas needing special consideration are: (1) employment and retirement; (2) allocatoin of health care…

Because of increased life spans and lower fertility rates, adults over 65 will continue to comprise a larger proportion of the population. The traditional emphasis on individual and family care of older Americans has been replaced by an emphasis on the obligation of society. Currently, poor health is the most prevalent problem reported among older…

Although the older person's economic stiuation has improved, older women, minorities, and rural residents have incomes significantly lower than those for the older population in general. Older married women may appear to be financially secure, but many of their resources often disappear when their husbands die. Widowhood or divorce endangers the…

This speech focuses on women and private pension plans, such as private pension coverage and smaller benefit amounts. Pension issues affecting women as employees include participation in plans, vesting, break-in service, benefit accruals, integration with Social Security, sex-based actuarial tables, portability, inflation, and individual…

It has been proposed that the same type of aptitude and ability tests required for initial job entry be used to indicate whether an individual can continue to perform effectively in that job. A review of the nature of such tests indicates that they would be inappropriate for use in retirement decisions. A proficiency test of the kind used at the…

The challenge facing school finance is how to harness the school-finance system to the fundamental purpose of education: to improve learning for all students. The challenge is posed by political demands for better school performance and accountability, and by court rulings that tie school funding to standards of adequacy. This paper examines four…

Presents statistics on the changing human resources mix in the labor force, which vocational counselors should be aware of. Trends include higher percentages of women working, and older men and married men leaving the work force. One result is an increasing number of persons are able to retire earlier. (JAC)

Older adults are generally satisfied with moving to the seaside, and are motivated by a more congenial physical environment and social advantages of living with retirees with similar interests. Unfortunately social and health services have not kept up with the demand. (JAC)

This review of research on lifespan approaches to career development finds that most studies focus on early career stages, fewer on middle to late adulthood. Research on work and nonwork domains (leisure, well-being, family) has increased in complexity and volume. Greater integration of these two strands is urged. (324 references) (SK)

The anticipated "graying" of the American work force may result not only in the intensification of the severe economic and personal problems of members of society but also in eventual shortages of workers in critical areas. A growing demand for workers in the coming decades may lead to the need for incentives to encourage older people to…

Much research data are available on work and retirement which discounts the image of retirement as an affliction imposed on older workers. These findings indicate that increasing numbers of workers choose to retire before any mandatory age, few wish to return to work, and most are content with their retirement lives; however, negative views about…