Discusses the economic crisis and subsequent employment problems that have had substantial consequences for older workers in France. Offers alternatives including a flexible career cycle in which working periods would alternate with long periods of training and leisure time throughout a career. (JOW)

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

By skillfully structuring volunteer assignments, organizations can be successful in persuading a significant number of retirees to accept assignments and to devote a minimum of two days a week to those assignments. (Author/JOW)

Time use data collected from older adults in seven nations were used to identify commonalities and differences in levels of paid labor, unpaid productivity, and type and amount of leisure time. Public policy, cultural values, economic resources, and social role constraints were found to define and delimit the life-styles of the elderly. (SK)

Comparison of union retirees in North America and Europe shows similar challenges facing unions: increased diversity and the changing nature of union membership, appropriate role of unions vis-a-vis other organizations representing older persons, and unions' role in changing employment practices regarding older workers. (SK)

This is the first part of a two-part article that examines the growing phenomenon of formal preretirement education efforts around the world designed to ease the transition to retirement life. Part I provides an overview of the movement. It discusses program sponsorship, sites, resources, timing, content, and structure. (CT)

Includes "Older Workers in the European Community: Pervasive Discrimination, Little Awareness" (Drury); "Aging Workers in Japan: From Reverence to Redundance" (Takada); and "Canada's Labor Market: Older Workers Need Not Apply" (David). (JOW)

This is the second of a two-part article that examines the growing phenomenon of formal preretirement education (PRE) efforts around the world designed to ease the transition to retirement life. Part II focuses on policy issues that have been raised by evaluations of existing PRE programs. (Author/CT)

Summarizes research studies on (1) differentials in retirement income and life expectancy in Montreal; (2) differentials in life expectancy following retirement in Paris; (3) relationship between work and postretirement health in Paris; (4) effects of piecework on aging in Quebec; and (5) relationship among occupation, health, and work ability in…

Details findings of an OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) study concerning the social and labor market implications of aging populations. The article includes a demographic profile, impact on social expenditures, and the response of policymakers. (CT)

Discusses measures that have been adopted by France, Great Britain, Sweden, the Netherlands, the United States, and Japan to prolong the work life of older workers. Measures include job transfer and exemption, dismissal protection, retirement policies, and reintegration of unemployed older workers. (JOW)