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 information paper on the major income and employment issues affecting older Americans survey the economic impacts of an aging population, presents an agenda for future research into principle income and employment policy issues, and provides an outline of those policy options to be reviewed as a basis for governmental policy formation.…

Work years are being compressed into a smaller portion of midlife while non-work time (schooling and retirement) is growing rapidly. Analysis of these trends suggests greater future interest in flexible retirement ages, reduction of work time (work sharing) to attenuate unemployment, and part-time jobs among older workers. (MF)

A study was conducted to determine the role of the older worker in the American labor force, to analyze reasons behind the changing role of the older worker, and to make recommendations for employers, unions, and the government on age-neutral personnel policies responsive to the needs of an increasingly older work force. Data on the demographic,…

This book contains 15 articles on older workers and the challenges of health insurance, Social Security, retirement, job loss, and working until older ages. Following an introduction by the editors, the articles are organized in five sections that also include commentaries on the articles. The following are included in Section 1, "Charting…

Unemployment compensation in the United States is provided through a federal-state system of unemployment insurance (UI). UI provides temporary partial wage replacement to active job seekers who are involuntarily out of work. For older workers, UI is an important source of income security and a potential influence on work incentives. For example,…

A study analyzed the changing nature of older persons in the labor force, factors that may affect their work decisions, and policy changes that could facilitate their continuation or reentry into the work force beyond the normal retirement age. Data examined during the survey indicate that while the number of people aged 65 and older is continuing…

One of the major structural changes facing European economies is the adjustment to an older and more slowly growing population. Aging and lower fertility rates will result in a smaller proportion of the population being in the working age, especially after the year 2010. Estimates are that by 2030 there could be only 2 employed persons for every…

Many companies recognize the importance of including older persons in the labor force, but barriers still exist that limit their productive employment. Negative stereotypes may influence hiring and promotion decisions, and training opportunities may be closed. A study was conducted of private sector employment programs/practices that are intended…

A Labor Department task force examined issues relating to the United States' maturing labor force and outlines policy alternatives to address those issues. Major findings were summarized in three categories: (1) in tomorrow's work force, the median age of workers will be higher; older people will be healthier, live longer, and be available for…

New perspectives need to be gained on the roles of older adults and older workers in the new millenium. Because today's adult is healthier, policies concerning social security, retirement, and work need to be changed. There is a need for acceptance of various types of aging. Rather than mandating specific retirement, the individual should have…

Flexible retirement policies have worked very well for four major United States corporations, accordinq to testimony of their executives during the second part of a U.S. Senate hearing on work after age 65, conducted in Washington, D.C., in May, 1980. Executives of Xerox, Polaroid, Bankers Life and Casualty, and Atlantic Richfield told the special…

The study reported here examines the employment-related problems of older workers and develops a research and development strategy for future federally funded projects. Following an introductory section, the content is in fifteen chapters. The first chapter covers a number of critical policy issues and the second concentrates on job-related…

As demographic changes and new labor supply requirements develop in the years ahead, older workers are sure to become even more important to employers and to society as a whole. To date, most employers have just begun to formulate policies to manage an aging work force in a changing economy. Some firms, however, have begun to respond pragmatically…

This report examines how the aging of the population of the United States will affect the workplace, and how employers, government, and the older employees themselves will adapt to this societal aging. The report covers issues surrounding the aging of the work force and uses case studies to illustrate how some companies and organizations are…