The social security system in the United States is becoming increasingly unstable, as the amount of benefits paid to an ever larger number of retirees grows and the number of younger workers paying taxes to the system decreases. The problem will become especially acute in the years 2011 and after, as the members of the "baby boom"…

The transcripts of testimony given before the Senate Committee on Aging by the Secretary of the Department of Labor, F. Ray Marshall, and Ewan Clague, consultant and former Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, are presented. Issues reviewed in these statements address the following areas of concern: retirement trends, economic…

Notes that pension plans which group employees by sex constitutes a denial of equal pay for equal work for the majority of the population which is in the overlap group. (Author/AM)

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)

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

A policy statement prepared by a joint committee of the American Association of University Professors and the Association of American Colleges about retirement plans and plans for insurance benefits for faculty members and administrators is presented. (MLW)

Since 1999 the complex reform of the old-age pension system was introduced in Poland and the process of changes is still ongoing. The multi-pillar system replaced the pay-as-you-go system. Voluntary third pillar will guarantee higher pensions for those that decide to save more. However, the systemic changes were placed in the new market economy…

The interaction of an aging population and the national budget can best be seen through programs for older people. The key to understanding this interaction lies in linking budget and program costs with demographics, and in observing data over time. Data from three federal budget programs, Social Security's Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and…

The recent decline in the labor force participation rates of older Americans is well known and well documented. Dramatic changes in male participation rates occurred between 1968 and 1986. Declines were substantial as early as age 55 and as late as age 70. The trends for older women were much less dramatic. In 1988, nearly half of employed men and…

This paper begins by noting that at the time that Medicare was enacted in 1965, the plans for funding Medicare through a mix of public and private financing mechanisms seemed quite adequate. It goes on to explain how, 20 years later, the situation is changing enough to create a need to examine whether there is a fairer or more efficient way to…

In the Federal Republic of Germany, a welfare state, the elderly profit from social security measures to a lesser extent than does the rest of the population. As of yet, the older population has had very little importance in the political arena. Many policy outcomes directly affecting the living conditions of the older population are uncontrolled…

Explored retirement conditions affecting women's preferred retirement timing and retirement satisfaction in 115 women retirees. Revealed that women's life goals, sex role constancy over the years, the economic impact of retirement, and respondents' control over determination of retirement timing were relevant issues. (Author/KS)

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.…

An analysis of the response of British health, social care, and housing agencies to the needs of the elderly was conducted. The purpose of the study was to determine how the British are improving their services to meet the needs of the rapidly increasing population of the elderly in an era of slow growth of public spending. The analysis showed the…

Several conceptualizations and definitions of retirement have been proposed. One of them--the three-stage transition process--can be illustrated from studies in Israel: (1) leaving the old role; (2) going through the act of formal separation; and (3) adjusting to the new situation and role. Today's higher rate of survival into later years means…