Impact of Older-Worker-Friendly Organizational Policies on Retirement Attitudes and Planning

Abstract

This study develops and analyzes a model of the impact of older-worker-friendly (OWF) organizations' policies on retirement, specifically attitudes toward retirement, preparation for retirement, and years to planned retirement age. This is particularly a timely topic as the Baby Boomer generation heads into retirement and organizations need to better understand the retirement intentions of this group. A model was developed and tested using linear regression, and results indicate that the hypothesized relationships are supported. Instituting certain OWF policies leads to older workers who are more prepared for retirement, and thus have more positive attitudes about retiring, which ultimately leads to an earlier planned retirement age. While this study is limited, these findings provide some interesting insights for researchers and practitioners.

Keywords:

• older-worker-friendly organizations
• retirement age
• retirement attitudes
• retirement preparation

Notes

Funding for this study was provided by a grant from the Pennsylvania State Department of Higher Education as part of the Volume 3 Widener Elder Pennsylvania Study (Eric Brucker, Principal Investigator).