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Area Companies Receive Top Honors From AARP's Best Employer Award for Workers Over 50

Vanguard, Frankford Candy & Chocolate Company, Saint Vincent Health System Selected

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Many U.S. companies face a potentially significant loss of experienced talent in key roles as baby boomers approach the traditional retirement; howeverPennsylvania's Vanguard, Frankford Candy & Chocolate Company and Saint Vincent Health System have adopted policies and practices that appeal to 50+ workers. The three local companies received top honors today from AARP's Best Employer Award for Workers Over 50.

"These companies are among the growing number of employees that recognize the importance of innovative policies as employers seek to retain and recruit experienced workers," says Estella Hyde, AARP Pennsylvania State President. "Top companies in the region are beginning to improve recruiting efforts, management style, training policies, work arrangements, benefits, and other company policies to attract and keep valuable employees of all ages," adds Hyde.

Vanguard remains on the cutting edge offering employees age 50+ (with ten years of service), or those age 55+ a free Personal Financial Planning module. The Career Development Days program provides a showcase of Vanguard's career resources and encourages employees to make the most of their careers at the company. In addition, Vanguard University is a company-wide program offering more than 3,600 classes and study programs.

Frankford Candy & Chocolate Company offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match and stock options to its full- and part-time employees. All new hires are automatically enrolled in the 401(k) plan and employees 50 and older may make catch-up contributions. Employees receive financial planning information from staff members, from the financial services firm that administers the 401(k) plan, and from external financial planning experts. Employees are offered paid time off specifically designated for caregiving, as well as short-term time off without pay as well as long-term leaves of absence without pay for caregiving.

Employees working at least four hours a week at Saint Vincent Health System receive individual and family medical coverage, individual and family prescription drug coverage, and individual and family vision and dental insurance. The health system offers short- and long-term disability exclusively to those working at least 35 hours per week. Health benefits for retirees pre-65 and 65+ include individual and spouse medical and drug coverage, individual and spouse vision and dental insurance, as well as EAP services.

AARP The Magazine will feature the 2008 Best Employers in its November-December issue, in homes September 25, along with an extensive feature story on re-careering and discovering new passions at age 50+. The complete article and list can also be found online at www.aarpthemagazine.org.

The Best Employers winners, and the winners of a separate AARP International Innovative Employer Award, will be honored at a dinner on October 7 inChicago. Go to http://www.aarp.org/money/work/best_employers/ for information on the Best Employers and International Innovative Employee Awards. A CEO roundtable will also be held that day, focusing on AARP's new workforce assessment tool and the importance for employers of evaluating their workforce to determine future employee needs.

AARP invites employers to apply for the Best Employers honor by submitting an application outlining their exemplary policies and practices toward 50 and over workers.

Candidates undergo extensive vetting prior to final selections. Key areas of consideration include: recruiting practices; opportunities for training, education and career development; workplace accommodations; alternative work options, such as flexible scheduling, job sharing, and phased retirement; employee health and pension benefits; retiree benefits; and age diversity of the workforce.

2008 Best Employers Winners

    Rank, Company Name                                         City, State

    1. Cornell University                                       Ithaca, NY
    2. Scripps Health                                        San Diego, CA
    3. S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.                                Racine, WI
    4. The YMCA of Greater Rochester                         Rochester, NY
    5. Lee Memorial Health System                           Fort Myers, FL
    6. Securian                                               St. Paul, MN
    7. First Horizon National Corporation                      Memphis, TN
    8. Stanley Consultants                                   Muscatine, IA
    9. Bon Secours Richmond Health System                     Richmond, VA
    10. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association                     Chicago, IL
    11. National Institutes of Health                         Bethesda, MD
    12. Central Florida Health Alliance                       Leesburg, FL
    13. Brevard Public Schools                                   Viera, FL
    14. Massachusetts Institute of Technology                Cambridge, MA
    15. Atlantic Health                                     Morristown, NJ
    16. TriHealth, Inc.                                     Cincinnati, OH
    17. Mercy Health System                                 Janesville, WI
    18. Adecco Group North America                            Melville, NY
    19. Beaumont Hospitals                                   Royal Oak, MI
    20. L.L.Bean, Inc.                                        Freeport, ME
    21. Massachusetts General Hospital                          Boston, MA
    22. Jennings Center for Older Adults              Garfield Heights, OH
    23. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina            Durham, NC
    24. Virginia Commonwealth University                      Richmond, VA
    25. Pinnacol Assurance                                      Denver, CO
    26. Saint Vincent Health System                               Erie, PA
    27. National Rural Electric Cooperative Association      Arlington, VA
    28. Centegra Health System                            Crystal Lake, IL
    29. Frankford Candy & Chocolate Co.                   Philadelphia, PA
    30. Nashoba Valley Medical Center                             Ayer, MA
    31. George Mason University                                Fairfax, VA
    32. Wells Fargo & Company                            San Francisco, CA
    33. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey            Newark, NJ
    34. Harvard University                                   Cambridge, MA
    35. Northern California
        Presbyterian Homes & Services                    San Francisco, CA
    36. Manheim                                                Atlanta, GA
    37. ACUITY                                               Sheboygan, WI
    38. DentaQuest                                         Charlestown, MA
    39. The Aerospace Corporation                           El Segundo, CA
    40. Express Personnel Services                       Oklahoma City, OK
    41. Nevada Federal Credit Union                          Las Vegas, NV
    42. Pepco Holdings Inc.                                 Washington, DC
    43. Michelin North America                              Greenville, SC
    44. Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation       Huntsville, AL
    45. Pearson                                     Upper Saddle River, NJ
    46. CTTRANSIT                                             Hartford, CT
    47. Vanguard                                          Valley Forge, PA
    48. Centers for New Horizons                               Chicago, IL
    49. Hanson Professional Services Inc.                  Springfield, IL
    50. FINRA                                               Washington, DC

About AARP

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 33 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 39 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia,Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

CONTACT: Angela Foreshaw-Rouse of AARP, +1-267-825-9922, aforeshaw@aarp.org

SOURCE AARP Pennsylvania