The population of the United States is aging and will age even more rapidly in the coming years. Yet our public and private retirement and benefits policies continue to favor early retirement--in spite of clear demographic trends, in spite of legislation raising the mandatory retirement age from 65 to 70, in spite of the fact that many of our…

The 21st century may become known as the era of lifelong learning and lifelong working. Retirement, the end stage of a linear working life, may be replaced with a learning, working, leisure, working, learning life cycle. Forced retirements and early retirement incentives have contributed to the decline of expertise in the workplace. Inflation,…

In a longitudinal study of preretirement education, one of two groups had a group discussion program for 10 weekly sessions. Volunteer participants were male, hourly-rated workers, 60-68 years old, employed in the Detroit area automobile assembly plants. Discussion centered on work and retirement, money management, physical and mental health,…

On the premise that researchers, practitioners, and policy makers lack an extensive and systematic examination of the concerns of the aging, this monograph examines American social issues as a context for a functional definition of aging and a taxonomy for use in conducting research. Issues are examined with regard to aging and work in four areas…

Seven chapters in this special issue include "The Work/Leisure Connection" (McDaniels); "Changing Relations between Work and Leisure" (Godbey); "Wellness in the Leisure-Work Relationship" (McDowell); "Concept of Work: Updating a Point of View" (Hoyt); "A Working Future?" (Watts); "Beyond Career...Avoiding the Postretirement Blues" (Jackson); and…

Drawing from extensive resources in the area of retirement and gerontology, this information analysis paper, which discusses preparation for retirement and advanced age, has three primary objectives: (1) to assess the psychological effects of retirement on the individual, (2) to assess preretirement conditions and attitudes that affect the…

Age-related changes in functional ability and work attitude affect job performance, but many variables affect the extent and timing of change for different older workers. Declines due to age occur in sensory/perceptual processes; strength, speed and accuracy of movement, and balance; and cognitive processes. Individuals can compensate for some…