Public Policy and the Plans and Preferences of Older Americans

This study compares the retirement plans and preferences of a recent sample of 3,500 men and women of pre-retirement age- 50 to 64. The data suggest that a minority of older workers expect to retire earlier than they really want to, and that many would delay retirement if they faced different terms and conditions of employment. Although most older Americans cannot or do not want to work, many do, and they represent a significant underutilized labor market resource.