This is the first part of a two-part article that examines the growing phenomenon of formal preretirement education efforts around the world designed to ease the transition to retirement life. Part I provides an overview of the movement. It discusses program sponsorship, sites, resources, timing, content, and structure. (CT)

This is the second of a two-part article that examines the growing phenomenon of formal preretirement education (PRE) efforts around the world designed to ease the transition to retirement life. Part II focuses on policy issues that have been raised by evaluations of existing PRE programs. (Author/CT)

The author describes Japan's phased retirement system, consisting of the "step down" from a management or supervisory position (commonly in the mid-50s) and the mandatory transfer to a subsidiary company later. The system allows companies to promote younger workers. However, in a depressed industry, the system generally results in…