Age, Work and Social Security

One of the most important changes in industrialized societies is the trend to early retirement. This volume is concerned with early exit from employment, the well-being of the early retired, and the policy issues raised. The first part of the book examines the factors affecting early retirement. The chapters discuss the trends in the health of the elderly, the influence of disability insurance and firm pension policy. The second set of essays deal with the well-being of the early retired. How far is early retirement associated with poverty? What is the relation with gender disparities? The third part is concerned with the policy issues, including the harmonization of pension schemes. The papers examine the experience in a range of countries, including the USA, UK, France, The Netherlands, Germany and Sweden - international and interdisciplinary in approach. Martin Rein is the co-editor of "Time for Retirement" and has written "Reframing: An Analysis of Discourse About Public Controversies" with Donald Schon.