Retaining experts: retirement plans of clinical laboratory professionals

A survey to assess the retirement plans of clinical laboratory professionals (CLP) and the factors that would influence those plans was distributed to members of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) in May, 2012. A majority of respondents (65%) between 50-62 years indicated that there was a greater than 50% chance they would be working after age 62. Only 15.8% of the respondents thought that there was a greater than 50% chance that they would be working full time after they retired from their current job. The retirement option selected most often by respondents was part time work. This was true for respondents in all age groups and job functions. The greatest personal influence on retirement plans was concern about health issues. The results indicate that, if employers can provide part time options, older workers may stay in the workforce as long as they are healthy.