Survey Shows More Firms Urging Early Retirement

Many companies across the country are encouraging a “strong trend” toward early retirement by offering employees incentives to retire before age 65, the Conference Board said Tuesday.

The “vast majority” of 363 companies surveyed for the Conference Board’s study said they are offering inducements for early retirement in their pension plans.

The Conference Board said more than 60% of the companies surveyed said they offer such inducements to retire early, while only 3% said they offer their employees incentives to continue working beyond age 65.

The number of companies reporting an average retirement age of 65 or older has fallen sharply to 14% from 42% in 1972, the Conference Board said.