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Amid falling confidence, 1 in 3 U.S. employees wants to phase into retirement

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According to a WTW survey, 34% of U.S. workers aged 50+ are either phasing into retirement or want to do so. This trend comes as 46% of older workers expect to work past 70, up from 36% two years ago. The survey reveals that 79% of workers aren't saving enough for retirement, and only 52% feel they're on track. Financial security is the primary driver for retirement decisions, followed by health and leisure time.

The survey also highlights that 66% of employees view their employer-provided retirement plan as more important than ever, with 72% considering it their primary savings method. Notably, 55% cite their retirement plan as a key reason to stay with their current employer, up from 48% in 2017.

Secondo un sondaggio WTW, il 34% dei lavoratori statunitensi di età superiore ai 50 anni sta passando gradualmente alla pensione o desidera farlo. Questa tendenza si manifesta mentre il 46% dei lavoratori più anziani si aspetta di lavorare oltre i 70 anni, rispetto al 36% di due anni fa. Il sondaggio rivela che il 79% dei lavoratori non sta risparmiando abbastanza per la pensione, e solo il 52% si sente sulla buona strada. La sicurezza finanziaria è il principale fattore che guida le decisioni di pensionamento, seguita dalla salute e dal tempo libero.

Il sondaggio evidenzia anche che il 66% dei dipendenti considera il piano pensionistico offerto dal datore di lavoro più importante che mai, con il 72% che lo considera il proprio metodo principale di risparmio. È importante notare che il 55% cita il proprio piano pensionistico come una delle principali ragioni per rimanere con il proprio attuale datore di lavoro, in aumento rispetto al 48% nel 2017.

Según una encuesta de WTW, el 34% de los trabajadores estadounidenses de 50 años o más están en proceso de jubilarse o desean hacerlo. Esta tendencia surge ya que el 46% de los trabajadores mayores espera trabajar más allá de los 70 años, un aumento del 36% hace dos años. La encuesta revela que el 79% de los trabajadores no está ahorrando lo suficiente para la jubilación, y solo el 52% se siente en el camino correcto. La seguridad financiera es el principal motivo detrás de las decisiones de jubilación, seguido por la salud y el tiempo libre.

La encuesta también destaca que el 66% de los empleados considera su plan de jubilación proporcionado por el empleador más importante que nunca, con un 72% que lo ve como su principal método de ahorro. Notablemente, el 55% cita su plan de jubilación como una razón clave para quedarse con su empleador actual, frente al 48% en 2017.

WTW 조사에 따르면, 50세 이상의 미국 근로자 중 34%가 은퇴를 준비 중이거나 희망하고 있습니다. 이 추세는 46%의 노인 근로자가 70세가 넘어서도 계속 일할 것이라고 기대하고 있다는 사실에서 나타납니다. 이는 2년 전의 36%에서 증가한 수치입니다. 조사에 따르면 79%의 근로자가 은퇴를 위한 충분한 저축을 하지 않고 있으며, 단 52%만이 자신의 계획이 순조롭다고 느끼고 있습니다. 재정적 안전이 은퇴 결정을 내리는 주요 요인이며, 그 다음으로 건강과 여가 시간이 중요합니다.

조사에서는 66%의 직원이 고용주가 제공하는 은퇴 계획을 그 어느 때보다 중요하게 생각하고 있다고 강조하고 있으며, 72%는 이를 주요 저축 방법으로 고려하고 있습니다. 특히, 55%는 현재 고용주와 계속 함께할 주요 이유로 자신의 은퇴 계획을 언급하고 있다고 밝혔으며, 이는 2017년의 48%에서 증가한 수치입니다.

Selon une enquête WTW, 34% des travailleurs américains âgés de 50 ans et plus sont en train de passer à la retraite ou souhaitent le faire. Cette tendance survient alors que 46% des travailleurs plus âgés s'attendent à travailler au-delà de 70 ans, contre 36% il y a deux ans. L'enquête révèle que 79% des travailleurs ne parviennent pas à épargner suffisamment pour leur retraite, et seulement 52% estiment être sur la bonne voie. La sécurité financière est le principal moteur des décisions de retraite, suivie par la santé et le temps libre.

L'enquête met également en lumière que 66% des employés considèrent que leur plan de retraite fourni par l'employeur est plus important que jamais, 72% le considérant comme leur principal moyen d'épargne. Notamment, 55% citent leur plan de retraite comme une raison clé de rester avec leur employeur actuel, en hausse par rapport à 48% en 2017.

Laut einer WTW-Umfrage befinden sich 34% der US-Arbeiter im Alter von 50 Jahren und älter im Übergang zur Rente oder möchten dies tun. Dieser Trend kommt, da 46% der älteren Arbeitnehmer erwarten, über 70 Jahre hinweg zu arbeiten, was einem Anstieg von 36% vor zwei Jahren entspricht. Die Umfrage zeigt, dass 79% der Arbeitnehmer nicht genug für die Rente sparen und nur 52% das Gefühl haben, auf dem richtigen Weg zu sein. Finanzielle Sicherheit ist der wichtigste Antrieb für Rentenentscheidungen, gefolgt von Gesundheit und Freizeit.

Die Umfrage hebt auch hervor, dass 66% der Mitarbeiter ihren vom Arbeitgeber bereitgestellten Rentenplan als wichtiger denn je ansehen, wobei 72% ihn als ihre primäre Sparmethode betrachten. Bemerkenswert ist, dass 55% ihren Rentenplan als einen wichtigen Grund angeben, beim aktuellen Arbeitgeber zu bleiben, im Vergleich zu 48% im Jahr 2017.

Positive
  • 34% of workers aged 50+ are phasing into or want to phase into retirement, indicating a flexible approach to workforce management
  • 66% of employees view their employer-provided retirement plan as more important than ever
  • 55% cite their retirement plan as a key reason to stay with their current employer, up from 48% in 2017
  • 72% of employees consider their employer-provided plan as their primary retirement savings method
Negative
  • 46% of older workers expect to work past age 70, a sharp rise from 36% two years ago
  • 79% of workers admit they aren't saving enough for retirement
  • Only 52% of workers report being on the right track to retirement
  • Only 30% of respondents rate their employer as highly effective at using the skills and knowledge of older workers

Insights

The survey results reveal significant shifts in retirement planning, with 34% of workers aged 50+ either phasing into retirement or wanting to. This trend could impact workforce dynamics and financial markets. The increase in workers expecting to work past 70 (from 36% to 46% in two years) suggests potential strain on pension systems and delayed wealth transfer. 79% of workers not saving enough for retirement indicates a looming retirement crisis, which could affect consumer spending and investment patterns. The growing importance of employer-provided retirement plans (66% say it's more important than ever) highlights a potential area for companies to differentiate themselves in talent attraction and retention.

The survey uncovers a notable trend: phased retirement is gaining traction. This shift could reshape labor markets, with implications for industries reliant on experienced workers. The extended work-life expectancy might slow job market turnover, potentially impacting younger workers' career progression. Employers' perceived ineffectiveness in leveraging older workers' skills (70% rate them poorly) presents an opportunity for companies to innovate in talent management. The increased value placed on retirement plans as a retention tool (up from 48% in 2017 to 55%) suggests a growing market for enhanced retirement benefits and financial planning services.

The survey highlights a critical HR challenge: balancing an aging workforce's needs with organizational objectives. The desire for phased retirement among 34% of older workers presents both opportunities and complexities in workforce planning. Employers must develop flexible work arrangements and knowledge transfer strategies to retain valuable experience. The low effectiveness rating in utilizing older workers' skills (30%) indicates a significant area for improvement in talent management. The increased importance of retirement plans in employee retention underscores the need for robust, adaptable benefits packages. HR strategies should focus on creating multigenerational workforces and fostering mentorship programs, as 67% of employees value being mentors.

2 in 3 employees say retirement plan is more important than ever, WTW survey finds

NEW YORK, Aug. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- While millions of older working Americans are delaying plans to retire amid mounting financial concerns, another group of employees are taking a different path: phasing into retirement. That’s according to new survey research from WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company.

The 2024 Global Benefits Attitudes Survey found one in three (34%) workers age 50 and older either have already started phasing into retirement (15%) by reducing their work hours or job responsibilities as they near retirement or want to do so (19%). Most of these employees want to transition into retirement over a long period of time. For example, those who started phasing into retirement at age 59 expect to work nine more years. The survey found similar results for workers who want to phase into retirement when they are older.

Most workers who are currently phasing have reduced their work hours (61%) or job responsibilities (41%). Slightly fewer numbers of employees want to change to a different role or job in their industry or change where or how (more or less remote) they work. When asked what was driving their decisions about when and how to retire, the top reason was financial security (76%) followed by their health (50%) and having more time for family, leisure and travel (45%).

Interest in phased retirement comes at a time when nearly half (46%) of older workers (age 50 and older) expect to work past age 70, a sharp rise from 36% two years ago and 30% prior to the pandemic. Additionally, eight in 10 workers (79%) admit they aren’t saving as much for retirement as they should be, and only half (52%) report being on the right track to retirement.

“Phased retirement can be a win-win for both employees and employers,” said Jonathan Sterbanz, senior director, Retirement, WTW. “Working fewer hours even with reduced pay can help employees transition into retirement both financially and emotionally. At the same time, companies want to hang onto experienced employees and encourage them to pass on their wealth of knowledge to younger employees. Still, most employees think their employers can do a much better job of leveraging the skills of older workers.”

Indeed, only 30% of respondents rate their employer as highly effective at using the skills and knowledge of older workers. Interestingly, two in three employees (67%) believe it’s important to be a mentor and to help train less experienced colleagues before they retire.

The importance of a retirement plan in creating financial security

According to the survey, two in three employees (66%) said their employer-provided retirement plan is more important than ever, with three in four (72%) saying it is the primary way they save for retirement. Additionally, over half of employees (55%) cited their retirement plan as an important reason to stay with their current employer, compared with 48% in 2017.

“With employees seeking greater flexibility around their retirement decisions, employers are faced with the challenge of how to best meet their current and long-term financial needs. As the primary retirement savings vehicles, defined contribution plans can help employers reach that balance. Utilizing available options within their defined contribution plans, along with other developments in the marketplace such as pooled employer plans and lifetime income solutions, will give employers the tools to enhance their benefits in order to provide employees with flexibility as they prepare to retire,” said Chris West, U.S. LifeSight PEP leader, WTW.

About the study

The 2024 Global Benefits Attitudes Survey was conducted from January to March 2024. Respondents include 10,000 U.S. employees working at medium and large private sector employers, representing a broad range of industries.

About WTW

At WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), we provide data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk and capital. Leveraging the global view and local expertise of our colleagues serving 140 countries and markets, we help organizations sharpen their strategy, enhance organizational resilience, motivate their workforce and maximize performance.

Working shoulder to shoulder with our clients, we uncover opportunities for sustainable success—and provide perspective that moves you. Learn more at wtwco.com.

Media contacts

Ed Emerman: +1 609 240 2766
eemerman@eaglepr.com

Ileana Feoli: +1 212 309 5504
ileana.feoli@wtwco.com


FAQ

What percentage of U.S. workers aged 50 and older want to phase into retirement according to the WTW survey?

According to the WTW survey, 34% of U.S. workers aged 50 and older either have already started phasing into retirement (15%) or want to do so (19%).

How has the percentage of older workers expecting to work past 70 changed according to WTW's survey?

The WTW survey shows that 46% of older workers now expect to work past age 70, a sharp rise from 36% two years ago and 30% prior to the pandemic.

What percentage of employees view their employer-provided retirement plan as more important than ever, according to WTW's 2024 survey?

According to WTW's 2024 Global Benefits Attitudes Survey, 66% of employees said their employer-provided retirement plan is more important than ever.

How many employees cite their retirement plan as an important reason to stay with their current employer in WTW's 2024 survey?

WTW's 2024 survey reveals that 55% of employees cited their retirement plan as an important reason to stay with their current employer, compared to 48% in 2017.

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