BUSINESSWEEK ONLINE : SEPTEMBER 20, 1999 ISSUE
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BW ONLINE SURVEY

Cover Story: Brain Drain September 20, 1999

Online Survey Results: What Are Your Retirement Plans?

Ah, retirement. Travel, golf, fishing, reading, visiting with friends...and working? That last option seems to be one more retirees may soon have as companies realize that the skills and experience of senior workers are hard to replace. And as baby boomers start hitting their mid-fifties, many are finding that they can afford to retire early. But will they be happy doing "nothing"?

Probably not. According to the nearly 1,000 people who responded over a two-week period to our online survey, nearly two-thirds (65%) are at least somewhat concerned that their skills won't be used to the fullest as they approach and pass retirement. Some 64% agree that over-55 workers are often an untapped talent pool. And based on the responses to questions six and seven, a vast majority of workers are interested in less than full-time work as they approach and pass retirement.

Please note: This is an unscientific survey since it does not attempt to poll a representative sample of the population. With that caveat, here are the full results. Thanks so much to all who participated.

1. Do you expect to retire before age...
19.47% 55
30.86% 60
27.88% 65
21.79% Don't Know

2. Do you agree that over-55 workers constitute a talent pool that too many companies leave untapped?

63.92% Very Much
27.61% Somewhat
3.08% Slightly
2.53% Not at All
2.86% Don't Know

3. Are you concerned that your skills won't be used to their fullest as you approach retirement and after retirement?

26.54% Very Much
37.56% Somewhat
13.44% Slightly
20.15% Not at All
2.31% Don't Know

4. Are you aware of any programs (formal or informal) in your company that allow retirees to continue working in a less-than-full-time role?

24.31% Yes
64.26% No
11.43% Not sure

5. In comparison to younger workers, do you think over-50 workers at your company get treated the...

43.43% Same
10.28% Better
34.70% Worse
11.60% Not Sure

6. If your current employer offered you the opportunity to continue working on a less-than-full-time basis as you approach retirement or afterward, would you be interested?

48.12% Very Much
29.87% Somewhat
7.74% Slightly
11.17% Not at All
3.10% Don't Know

7. If a new employer offered you the same opportunity, would you be interested?

47.34% Very Much
29.38% Somewhat
8.43% Slightly
10.09% Not at All
4.77% Don't Know

8. Are you concerned that without some kind of employment, your post-retirement years would be lacking?

22.70% Very Much
29.35% Somewhat
21.15% Slightly
25.14% Not at All
1.66% Don't Know

9. How old are you now?

0.55% Under 20 years old
11.33% 21 to 30
14.41% 32 to 40
24.20% 41 to 50
39.05% 51 to 60
9.57% 61 to 70
0.88% over 70

10. Are you...

23.26% Female
76.74% Male

That's it. Thanks!


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 RELATED ITEMS
Brain Drain

COVER IMAGE

CHART: As the Country Gets Grayer...

CHART: ...And the Workplace Ages...

CHART: ...The Talent Shortage Gets Worse

TABLE: Facing the Crunch

TABLE: Aging Workers: Suddenly a Hot Topic

TABLE: Flexible Retirement, Inflexible Rules

It Ain't Over When It's Over

ONLINE ORIGINAL: Retirement Funds for Those Too Busy to Plan

ONLINE SURVEY RESULTS: What Are Your Post-Retirement Plans?

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