According to Randstad’s latest Global Workmonitor, 52% of Canadian workers anticipate working beyond the age of retirement, and nearly half say they’d be happy to work for an additional two years beyond the official retirement age, a percentage that is even higher in the U.S. (59%). Just 32% of Canadian workers report they expect to stop working before they reach retirement age.

In most countries, the same sentiment is shared. In India, Mexico, Singapore and the U.S., more than 70% of employees say they expect to work past retirement. Similarly, in India and Singapore, more than 75% of workers say they would be happy to work two years beyond retirement. In France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland, however, employees are less inclined to work beyond their retirement age: less than 30% say they’d be happy to work beyond the age of retirement.

Jan Hein Bax, president, Randstad Canada said the aging population will have a significant impact on the local workforce, and that employee willingness to work beyond the official retirement age should come as a relief to many employers. “In the context of the imminent skills shortage, this trend may be a win-win situation for both employees and organizations. It is an opportunity for employers to tap into a pool of highly experienced and skilled workers who can also act as mentors for the younger generations of workers,” he said.

For a complete report, including detailed regional differences, is available at http://www.randstad.com/press-room/research-reports.