Dear HR Managers and Business Owners,

While 61 per cent of Canadians rate the amount of savings necessary for a comfortable retirement as an extremely important consideration in deciding when to retire, lifestyle issues are now highlighted as significant factors by a growing number of Canadians.

Fifty-four per cent of recent Ipsos Reid poll respondents said health care requirements were an extremely important consideration, while 40 per cent of all respondents rated both planning where they will live once retired and planning what they would do in retirement (e.g., travel, volunteer, new career) as very important.

In fact, when asked how much money they need to retire "rich," 40 per cent of Canadians said "it's not about the money."

The concept of retirement is changing. Many Canadians are choosing to stay in the work force longer but choosing to cut down on their job responsibilities or shifting their focus in a new career direction. Progressive organizations look for ways to continue to leverage the strengths and experience of the employees nearing retirement.

Cheers,