ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, January 28, 1996 TAG: 9601310094
SECTION: NEW RIVER VALLEY PAGE: 20 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: TRACY GALLIMORE STAFF WRITER
Imagine that you are 62 years old and eligible to retire with some Social Security benefits.
The company or government agency that has employed you for the last 28 years is offering another buyout package. With your goals and 401K balance in mind, you ask yourself "Is it time? Can I afford it?"
You would like to start a little business of your own, spend more time with the grandchildren, and there's an old boat in the back yard that wants restoring.
A number of friends have already taken the big step, although for many different reasons. Some work full- or part-time to supplement their Social Security and pension checks or just to stay involved. Others are dedicated volunteers. A few just take it easy: They work their gardens, do home improvement projects and travel.
Your retired friends seem to be working awfully hard: Maybe you should just keep your job and relax.
The number of older adults who are choosing to retire at the earliest possible age, 62, has increased dramatically over the past 25 years: 48 percent of the men who were awarded retired worker benefits in 1988 were only 62, up from 15 percent in 1965, said the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 1989.
A trend begun by employers in the 1980s continues in the 1990s: Older employees are frequently offered special early retirement incentives to reduce staff numbers.
James "Jim" Jackson, 62, has become a familiar face for Christianburg's Kmart shoppers. For the last four years he has worked about 20 hours each week as a greeter. In 1991, Jackson retired after 31 years of teaching social studies and geography for the Giles County schools. His retirement package offered state employees early retirement with full benefits. Jackson lives in Pearisburg and still teaches homebound students in Giles County.
Does retirement differ from what he expected?
"It's a whole lot like I anticipated it would be. I knew that I'd find something to keep me busy. I've always enjoyed teaching and the job at K-Mart is fun. I really like the contact with people."
Jackson laughs, "The other day a woman came in whose face looked very familiar. I asked her how we knew each other. She grinned and said, 'Oh, you taught me American History 31 years ago.' Folks come into the store that I haven't heard from in years."
Jackson has found little time for loafing since he retired. He even advises friends considering retirement that they'll be busier than they might expect.
"You find new interests...start doing things you've always wanted to do. You get more and more involved," said Jackson.
Health issues cause some workers to retire earlier than they otherwise might. Retirees without pensions or retirement savings sometimes find that finances dictate that they find ways to suppliment their Social Security payment even when health is a problem.
Louise Fay Morse, 73, has a brand new career.
Morse, a native of Carroll County, retired from her job as a toll collector on a Virginia Beach expressway in 1979 because of her arthritis. She later moved to the New River Valley. In 1993, financial need caused her to look for ways to supplement her Social Security payments. Morse wanted employment that allowed her to to help others. An elderly friend needed a sitter, Morse volunteered, and discovered that she enjoyed the work very much. Last year, Morse came across an ad for free certified nurses aide training sponsored by The New River Valley Agency on Aging. It was an opportunity she couldn't pass up.
In the fall, Morse completed the nurses aide course work. She took the state exam in November and is currently waiting on the results from the State Board for her CNA license.
"Jane Richmond and the Agency on Aging helped me so much. I couldn't have done it without them," said Morse.
The New River Valley Agency on Aging sponsors two employment related programs for older adults; the Job Training Partnership Act which provides training and the Senior Community Service Employment Program (Title V) which provides work experience.
Richmond, the employment supervisor at the agency, said, "The programs go hand-in-hand to provide training, experience and a little income for seniors. We put older adults participating in SCSEP to work with the Homemakers program. Homemakers serves folks who are elderly or homebound. This benefits both the people who are getting the service and those who are providing it.
Morse said, "Going back to work has been great for me. I don't have time to worry about my health or about my bills. And I really fall in love with the people I care for. I'm thankful to be able to do for others."
Morse works four 8-hour days a week.
Older adults who choose to continue to work can do so. By eliminating mandatory retirement, the 1986 amendments to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act helps older workers remain in the workforce until they are ready to retire.
LENGTH: Medium: 95 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: 1. ALAN KIM/Staff Former teacher Jim Jackson greetsby CNBcustomers and offers them carts at the Christiansburg Kmart.
2. headshot of Morse