Majority of baby boomers would opt for semi-retirement if employers only allowed: poll

Semi-retirement could ease labour shortage but most employers don’t provide that option
Brandie Weikle · CBC News · Posted: Jan 28, 2019 4:00 AM ET | Last Updated: 3 hours ago
A recent survey suggests that the majority of baby boomers would like to transition out of the workplace through part-time or consultant positions, and that many would like the opportunity to mentor younger workers to ensure knowledge doesn’t walk out the door with them. (Shutterstock)

The majority of working baby boomers would stay on the job longer if employers allowed them to shift into semi-retirement — but most workplaces don’t provide that option, a new survey suggests.

With unemployment in Canada at record lows and a labour shortage poised to hit critical levels when boomers hang up their hats, semi-retirement could be one way to help manage that crisis.

Since working longer puts more money in people’s wallets when they do retire, that increased spending power would benefit the economy as well.

Conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of staffing agency Express Employment Professionals, the poll found that 76 per cent of Canadian baby boomers respondents said they’d opt for a flexible work schedule if allowed, while 60 per cent would choose reduced hours with reduced benefits.

The online survey of 500 Canadian workers aged 54 to 72 suggests a disconnect between the willingness of the enormous baby boomer cohort to stick around during the labour shortage, and a lack of options for those who’d like a gradual exit from the workplace.