Retirement patterns are changing in the U.S. and in many other countries as well. During the mid-to-late 20th century, labor force participation rates dropped for older workers and rose for younger ones. These trends have recently reversed, especially among men and younger workers. The reversal is expected to continue, according to Towers Watson’s 2013/2014 Global Benefit Attitudes Survey (GBAS). Increasing numbers of employees are postponing retirement, many driven by financial necessity. And many of the employees putting off retirement tend to fit a certain profile: less healthy, highly stressed and disengaged from their jobs. Plan type affects retirement timing as well, with defined benefit (DB) plan participants retiring earlier than employees with only defined contribution (DC) plans, even where counter influences exist. These findings have implications for employers as they provide some indications of which employees are likely to delay retirement and why.”