This literature review presents viewpoints on retirement expressed in four books: "Capitalism and the Construction of Old Age," (Chris Phillipson); "Work and Retirement," (Stanley Parker); "Work or Retirement?" (B. Casey, G. Bruche); "The Ageing Worker," (M. Doering, S.R. Rhodes, M. Schuster). (JB)

Recent studies of retirement have recognized the importance of pension plans and social security on the retirement decisions. A pension system that is neutral with respect to the timing of benefits encourages or discourages the acceptance of these benefits and subsequent job separation at any particular age only to the extent that any asset…

This booklet, addressed to healthy, independent adults who want to plan for secure later lives, presents information about planning for difficult times. The first section discusses issues related to where an individual will live as needs and physical abilities change. It describes services available to help individuals remain in their homes or to…

Like most Western countries, Switzerland experienced an increased birth rate following World War II, followed by decades of slower growth. However, the number of those over 65 will have increased five-fold during the 20th century, and the number of those over 80 will have increased ten-fold. Thus, there is a smaller number of young people to…

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"…

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…

This collection consists of papers presented at a 1982 conference on policy issues in work and retirement. Presented first is an introductory overview of the problems of retirement and aging by Herbert S. Parnes. The following conference reports are included in the volume: "Life without Work: Does It Make Sense?" by Eli Ginzberg;…

About 28 percent of the population of Sweden is aged 55 or over. This figure will grow to about 37 percent in the year 2025. Sweden leads the industrialized countries in terms of employment of older workers, with about 65 percent of persons aged 55-64 employed. This is a result of the current general high employment rate in Sweden; however, older…

Following tremendous growth in the population of West Germany until the early 1970s, the population stabilized with a slower birth rate but higher foreign immigration. The population is becoming increasingly older. About 28 percent of the German population is aged 55 or older; by the year 2030, this figure will be about 44 percent. In 1985, the…

By the year 2025, 38 percent of the population of the Netherlands is projected to be aged 55 and over. Only 40 percent of the group aged 55-64 was working in 1985, and only 2.3 percent of the people aged 65 and over was working--the smallest number among industrialized countries. This development was mainly due to early retirement schemes and…

A study examined existing literature on retirement practices and policy. Demographic change and the gradual development of pension benefits have led to the phenomenon of early retirement. There are three groups of early retirees. The voluntary retiree is in relatively good health, with adequate financial resources, can take full advantage of early…

Intended for persons in their 50s and 60s who are seriously thinking about retirement and younger people who want to learn about aging and retirement, this book was developed as a companion piece to the training program offered to business and nonprofit organizations by the University of Southern Maine retirement planning team. Most of the…

Old-age policy in France has evolved historically in three critical dimensions that also correspond generally to post-World War II developments in France: the right to retirement (pensions); improved living conditions (e.g., autonomy, housing); and continued participation in the labor force. The last focus is currently a controversial one, given…

Japan's rapidly aging population has become a top policy issue, especially as the increasing costs of pensions and medical care are debated. With the highest life expectancy on earth, the Japanese potentially face long periods of retirement, as well as the possibility of long periods of disability. Although family support of the elderly is thought…

Recent trends toward earlier retirement have exacerbated the financial problems facing the Social Security system and many other public and private pension plans. The massive commitment of public and private funds to Social Security and pension funds is partly responsible for the trend to early retirement. This, in fact, was one of the early goals…