Purpose: This study examines sex differences among Baby Boom workers in the likelihood of coverage by an employer-provided retirement plan. Design and Methods: This study used a sample of Baby Boom workers drawn from the 2009 Current Population Survey. Independent variables were selected to replicate as closely as possible those in two 1995…

Purpose: As part of an ongoing effort to analyze the distributional implications of potential policy reforms to the U.S. Social Security system, we consider the widely discussed reform of earnings sharing. Such an approach has been viewed as a way to "update" Social Security's family benefits based on marital status and as a means to…

Purpose: We examine the methodological and economic policy implications of three operationalizations of retirement migration. Design and Methods: We compared the traditional age-based definition of retirement migration and two retirement-based definitions, based on degree of labor-force participation and retirement income, by using the 2000 U.S.…

Implementation of unisex pension plan allowing employers to comply with Supreme Court rulings would result in a fall in single men's pension wealth, a rise in single women's pension wealth, and change in returns to pension contributions. Offers analysis of how change to unisex plan would affect pension wealth and retirement decisions for single…

Most persons seem to respond to economic incentives in choosing when to retire. While changes in the social security system are likely to have only small effects on retirement behavior, larger impacts could ensue from altering incentives implicit in private pension plans. Important area for future research is transition process that follows end of…

Used data from a national sample of over 800 middle-aged married women to examine influences on retirement plans. Although the majority did not plan to retire at the same time as their husbands, having a retired husband as well as women's own retirement benefits were strong influences. (JAC)

Purpose: This article investigates how older Americans leave their career jobs and estimates the extent of intermediate labor force activity (bridge jobs) between full-time work on a career job and complete labor-force withdrawal. Design and Methods: Using data from the Health and Retirement Study, we explored the work histories and retirement…

Describes Australia's retirement income arrangements, including age pension, private pensions, changes in provisions by the federal government, and factors that shaped changes. Notes that difficulties experienced by the government in introducing changes underscore political sensitivity of retirement income policy in Australia. (Author/NB)

Projected implications of population aging are based on a definition of retirement age as 65. This article discusses the concept of "equivalent retirement ages" as a method for determining appropriate age for normal retirement and points out usefulness and limitations of raising normal retirement age as a policy instrument. (BF)

Explores relationship between recent policy reforms, targeting proposals, and a universal Social Security program. Explores principles that inform Social Security, concluding that treating benefits as taxable income and raising retirement age push at boundaries of universality without violating fundamental precepts of social insurance program. (BF)

Purpose: Retirees in traditional pension plans must generally choose between single life annuities, which provide regular payments until death, and joint and survivor annuities, which pay less each month but continue to make payments to the spouse after the death of the retired worker. This article examines the payout decision and measures the…

Presents findings on the work disincentives which are expected to be removed by the 1983 Amendments to the Social Security Act. Summarizes evidence on labor market conditions which may encourage early retirement. Discusses implications of this evidence for public policy and for the economic well-being of older Americans. (Author/ABB)

Using a nationwide survey, found work expectations change dramatically during years normally associated with retirement; over two-fifths of those never expecting to stop working were retired four years later; those expecting to retire were more likely to reach that goal. Argues against cross-sectional studies in planning Social Security changes.…