The Daily Stat: Rising Wages Plus Falling Cost of Leisure Equals Increased Retirement

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   AUTHORS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile AUGUST 29, 2011 Rising Wages Plus Falling Cost of Leisure Equals Increased Retirement Why do people retire? In economists' view, it's because of a steady rise in real wages, which allow people to accumulate savings, and a decline in the cost of leisure activities, which is what retirees do when they retire. 85% of U.S. men aged 75 to 79 were retired in 2000, up from 22% in 1850; over the past century, real wages have risen about 1.5% per year, and the price of leisure goods such as sports equipment and entertainment tickets has fallen about 1% per year, says Karen A. Kopecky of the University of Western Ontario. Source: The Trend in Retirement Share Today's Stat: FEATURED PRODUCT Mastering Business Fundamentals: A Harvard ManageMentor Skill Pack Harvard ManageMentor To stay competitive today you need to be proficient in many aspects of managing a business, from reading financial statements and creating a budget and negotiating lower prices from a supplier to growing your customer base. With this much responsibility and very little spare time, who do you turn to for help? This new skill pack "Mastering Business Fundamentals" from Harvard ManageMentor is designed specifically to give you the advice and hands-on tools you need to be successful. Save more than 35% off the individual component modules when you purchase this specially-priced set. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Stat: BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done PREVIOUS STATS Disagreeable Men Earn More Than Nice Guys E-Readers Gain Ground Slowly in College Unlike Computer Prices, Broadband Prices Hardly Fall 15% of IT Change Projects Are Huge Money Sinks A Web Break Makes People More Productive Gay Men Earn Less, But Their Households Earn More Compulsive Web Use Hurts Marriages, but Frequent Webbing Helps Marriages Apologize or Thank? It Depends on Your Culture High Taxes Keep Good NBA Players Away Women in Emerging Markets Say They're Very Ambitious Free HBR Interactive issue Download the iPad app HBR Reads, and get your issue with audio and video interviews and multimedia slideshows. Learn more » UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "The Daily Stat" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2011 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)