Released on: August 25, 2008, 11:00 am

Press Release Author: Joan Strewler-Carter & Stephen Carter

Industry:

Press Release Summary: New York, NY-As the more than 76 million baby boomers
approach retirement, an imminent talent shortage is affecting the workforce and many
US companies will be challenged with a significant loss of experienced workers.
This talent drain can be partially alleviated if companies entice older workers to
remain in the workforce longer, according to Joan Strewler-Carter and Stephen
Carter, co-founders of the Life Options Institute, an organization dedicated to
helping people plan for life after age 50.

Press Release Body: "The coming talent shortage may force employers to overcome
their age bias and introduce new opportunities with which to utilize this powerful
asset," adds Mrs. Strewler-Carter.
More significant than the talent shortage is the looming "brain drain."
"Few companies have solved the knowledge-transfer problem, "says Mrs.
Strewler-Carter. Retaining older workers, even part-time, gives them the
opportunity to teach younger workers what they know. Mentoring and action-learning
teams are techniques that have helped some organizations succeed in transferring
knowledge.
Many experts are predicting a shortage of 10 million workers by the year 2010. By
2014, nearly 20 percent of the workforce will be comprised of people age 65+. This
increase will make mature workers the faster-growing workforce segment, according to
the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
According to the Merrill Lynch New Retirement Study published in 2006, 71 percent of
baby boomers say they will work after retirement. The new retirement for people 60+
won't involve withdrawing from working life. Instead, boomers want to find a new
life balance that includes some form of employment, notes Mr. Carter.
A New Employment Paradigm
Retirement for baby boomers will blend work with leisure activities. The boundaries
between work and play will no longer be so firm. Flexible work will become the rule.
The boomer generation will demand more autonomy, flexibility and satisfaction on the
job, cites Mr. Carter.
"To be more precise, the upcoming working retirees want to work on their own terms,"
stresses Mr. Carter.

Phased Retirement
An option to be considered is "phased retirement," the gradual tapering off of
working hours and responsibilities, culminating in a final break from the company.
This period of phased employment can extend for years, describes Mrs.
Strewler-Carter.
Although workers age 50+ want to work, many don't want full-time employment. Some
corporate trendsetters are experimenting with phased retirement-continuing to work
for the same employer but with reduced hours, cites Mrs. Strewler- Carter.
According to Mrs. Strewler-Carter there are several companies that have already
developed cutting edge programs. For example, Procter & Gamble developed its own job
site, www.YourEncore.com , as a way to attract its retired employees. General
Electric allows retired employees to work up to 1,000 hours per year.
IBM has designed several programs to leverage the knowledge and expertise of
retiring baby boomers. The company maintains a pool of retirees who mentor and
transfer knowledge to younger workers.
San Diego-based Sharp HealthCare has its older employees determine their preferred
work schedule.
Home Depot allows employees to set their work hours. In addition, it has trained
managers in how to deal effectively with older workers.


The Boomerang Year
"A variation on phased retirement is the "boomerang year" in which people take off a
year or two before transitioning into a period of their lives when they may mix
part-time work with leisure activities," advises Mr. Carter.
According to Mr. Carter some corporations have already developed programs that adapt
to the boomerang concept. Traveler's Group allows older employees who have taken a
year or more off the ability to return on a part-time basis without adversely
affecting their pensions.
Polaroid offers older employees the opportunity to take a leave of absence for up to
six months and either return to their job or to a part-time version.
Monsanto allows employees to retire for a few months up to a few years, and then
return to the company in a part-time capacity.
Innovation is not tied to younger workers. More mature workers can innovate as
well. The challenge for employers will be to create cultures that engage people and
motivate performance. Companies that are successful in renewing their human capital
will win.
For additional information please visit www.WhatsNextinYourLife.com , a web site
from Life Options Institute that helps people plans for life after 50 and includes
helpful information on how to remain in or re-enter the workforce.


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Web Site: http://www.whatsnextinyourlife.com

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