60 million will retire in next 15 years

A recent poll of human resource professionals demonstrated that more than half haven't seriously considered the impact of baby boomers leaving the work force.

Census information indicates that U.S. companies are approaching an era where more people will leave the work force than enter it. In fact, during the next 15 years, it is anticipated that nearly 60 million people will retire. The survey, conducted in June by human resource consultants DBM, showed that 61 percent of the respondents were not aware of the changing demographics, and 55 percent said they were not actively implementing strategies to either attract or retain workers who are 50 or older.

The study also indicated that more than 55 percent of respondents had at least 10 percent of their work force aged 50-plus.