Preface -- 1 The Dialectics of Work and Welfare -- 2 Early Retirement: Stability, Reversal, or Redefinition -- 3 The Netherlands: The Loreley-Effect of Early Exit -- 4 Germany: The Concerted Transition from Work to Welfare -- 5 Sweden: Policy Dilemmas of the Changing Age Structure in a 'Work Society' -- 6 Japan: Shukko, Teinen and Re-Employment -- 7 Former East-Germany: From Plan to Market and the Dramatic Effect on Exit -- 8 Great Britain: Firm Policy, State Policy and the Employment and Unemployment of Older Workers -- 9 The United States: Employer Policies for Discouraging Work by Older People -- 10 Regulating Employment and Welfare: An International Comparison between Firms and Countries -- Contributors.