Between 1984 and 1993, work activity increased among men under 65 who had retired early. Factors influencing this trend include changes in pensions, increased health care costs, longer life expectancy, more layoffs, and more opportunities for flexible schedules and less physically demanding work. (SK)

Analysis of a longitudinal file of collectively bargained pension plans found dramatic increases in benefit levels; reductions in early, normal, and deferred retirement ages; and declines in age at which pension values peak. Findings indicate that employer-provided pensions can and will play an important role in inducing people to remain on their…

Despite the attractiveness of pension portability for educators, there are substantial equity and philosophical barriers to the practice. Portability might help in urban or sparsely populated districts trying to attract teachers or in cases involving spouses' career moves across state lines. Some suggestions for improving portability are provided.…

Reports on changes at the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association - College Retirement Equities Fund (TIAA-CREF), the dominant force in the higher education pension market, to counter declining investment by younger professors. Changes include addition of retail mutual funds and making some products available to the general public. Critics…

As many teachers near their retirement years, they discover that their retirement plans are insufficient and their financial planning was inappropriate. This paper describes some of the problems with the 403(b) plan (an investment plan for public school employees and certain tax-exempt organizations), explaining how teachers are beginning to…

Highlights the issue of states dipping into public employee pension funds and the long-term problems this may generate. (MLF)

A comparative analysis of defined benefit pension plans that were more common before 1980s and the defined contribution plans is presented. It is observed that defined benefit pension plans offered age related incentives thereby encouraging people to retire earlier. In contrast, defined contribution plans encourage people to continue with jobs…

Defined Benefit pension plans often generate odd time patterns of benefits. One typical pattern exhibits low accrual in early years, accelerating in mid-late years, followed by dramatic decline, or even negative returns in years that are relatively young for retirement. We consider four states for specific analysis: Arkansas, Missouri, California…

Policy discussions about teacher quality and teacher "shortages" often focus on recruitment and retention of young teachers. However, attention has begun to focus on the incentive effects of teacher retirement benefit systems, particularly given their rising costs and the large unfunded liabilities. In this paper we analyze accrual of…

There is significant interest in reforming retirement plans for public school employees, particularly in light of current market conditions. This paper presents an overview of the various types of state regulation of public pension plans that affect possibilities for reform. Several states have legal protections that effectively prevent a state…

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…

The study investigates the adequacy of pension plans and severance pay for defense workers in the event of defense cutbacks. Pension plans were examined on the basis of a sample of firms in the defense and nondefense sectors, matched by size and industry. The study finds that benefit provisions of defense industry plans are similar to those in…

Social security systems in many countries have reached or may soon reach a state of crisis in terms of funding old age pension and other benefits. A reassessment of the appropriate role of public pension provision in the total income flow available to retirees is needed. (JOW)

Used historical evidence to analyze how private sector benefits worked in the past in light of the debate surrounding the Social Security benefits and the federal deficit. Among conclusions reached are that the private sector failed to provide adequate protection for older citizens, and that benefits were inequitably distributed on basis of gender…

Reports on discussions of 30 United States and Canadian experts at a meeting on policies and problems concerning midlife and older women. Discussion focused on income security and long-term care. Includes future prospects. (CH)