Discusses the economic crisis and subsequent employment problems that have had substantial consequences for older workers in France. Offers alternatives including a flexible career cycle in which working periods would alternate with long periods of training and leisure time throughout a career. (JOW)

Some of the major steps taken in selected market economies of Western Europe, North America, and Asia to strengthen their pension systems are presented. Countries that are examined include Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Federal Republic of Germany, Japan, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. (CT)

Consists of two articles focusing on employment for older workers. Topics discussed include early and postponed retirement and health programs for older workers. (CH)

Social security systems in many countries have reached or may soon reach a state of crisis in terms of funding old age pension and other benefits. A reassessment of the appropriate role of public pension provision in the total income flow available to retirees is needed. (JOW)

Reports on discussions of 30 United States and Canadian experts at a meeting on policies and problems concerning midlife and older women. Discussion focused on income security and long-term care. Includes future prospects. (CH)

By skillfully structuring volunteer assignments, organizations can be successful in persuading a significant number of retirees to accept assignments and to devote a minimum of two days a week to those assignments. (Author/JOW)

One phenomenon that will attract the attention of social welfare historians is the change in perception of the roles of public and private pension systems. This change has led to a shift in attitude that will affect the structure of social welfare benefits of public and private systems. (JOW)

Time use data collected from older adults in seven nations were used to identify commonalities and differences in levels of paid labor, unpaid productivity, and type and amount of leisure time. Public policy, cultural values, economic resources, and social role constraints were found to define and delimit the life-styles of the elderly. (SK)

Discusses factors that have helped to shape pension system policy goals and strategies of reform in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Romania, and Ukraine. The factors are political support, capital formation of public and private savings, high tax rates, and social assistance. (JOW)

Comparison of union retirees in North America and Europe shows similar challenges facing unions: increased diversity and the changing nature of union membership, appropriate role of unions vis-a-vis other organizations representing older persons, and unions' role in changing employment practices regarding older workers. (SK)

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)

Two Commission of European Communities surveys of people over age 15 and of those over 60 demonstrated a widespread belief that older people deserve public support and services and face employment discrimination. Socioeconomic factors influenced older people's sense of security and life satisfaction. Positive intergenerational attitudes appeared.…

Includes "Older Workers in the European Community: Pervasive Discrimination, Little Awareness" (Drury); "Aging Workers in Japan: From Reverence to Redundance" (Takada); and "Canada's Labor Market: Older Workers Need Not Apply" (David). (JOW)

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)

Summarizes research studies on (1) differentials in retirement income and life expectancy in Montreal; (2) differentials in life expectancy following retirement in Paris; (3) relationship between work and postretirement health in Paris; (4) effects of piecework on aging in Quebec; and (5) relationship among occupation, health, and work ability in…