Based on a study tour made from August 13 to September 7, 1972, the author presents a status report on the elderly in China. Information on aspects of Chinese urban and rural life are provided as background for understanding Chinese retirement programs. (AG)

The right age for retirement is 65, labor productivity decreases with age, old people need less income--these are among the commonly accepted misconceptions attacked in the article. The removal of old-age poverty should be a prime national objective, admittedly a difficult change for our youth-oriented society to accept. (AG)

Countries with mature social security systems have declining rates of labor force participation of the aged. The experience of nine countries (United States, Canada, Belgium, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, United Kingdom) over the last two decades provided the statistical data presented and analyzed in the…

A subcommittee of the ILO Advisory Committee on Salaried Employees and Professional Workers, focusing attention in 1974 on problems and opportunities of employment and reemployment of older adults, discovered that U. S. policy compares favorably with that of other developed countries, urged studies of inflation's impact, and recommended flexible…

The article distinguishes between two functions of retirement preparation programs, counseling and planning, and reevaluates the evidence bearing on each of these functions in program effectiveness. A four-page bibliography accompanies the article. (Author/AG)

Although older persons tend to have more difficulties in learning situations than younger people, questionnaires completed by United Auto Workers union members between the age of 60 and 65 indicated they were able to adjust to employment changes when properly motivated and trained. (AG)

A nationwide Harris survey examining public attitude toward older Americans and documenting older American's expectations and personal experiences revealed that: more than one-third of the retired were forced to retire, most Americans oppose forced retirement, and income was an important factor in affecting people's attitudes toward work and…

Reviews the programs developed by or through the Mayor's Office for Senior Citizens (MOSC) to meet the work related needs of older persons; also covers activities of MOSC and future directions of plans for improving employment opportunities for older adults. (WL)

The retirement or earnings test provision of the Social Security Program is part of a debate over the future direction of the entire system. The current high rates of unemployment and inflation necessitating supplemental income for some older people may well influence the debate. (Author/AJ)

Two U. N. reports on aging and retirement are reviewed. There is a movement in developing nations toward early retirement with subsequent social welfare problems, and training for "second careers" has not yet caught on. The General Assembly has asked for a special group to suggest guidelines for national policies. (Author/AJ)

Older workers 55 and over have the largest proportion of persons discouraged for job market reasons of any age group. There is also an indication that more older people are taking themselves out of the labor market completely for other than personal reasons--apparently because of labor market conditions. (Author/AJ)