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The 50 best employers for baby boomers

According to AARP.com, by 2016, one-third of the total U.S. workforce will be age 50 or older, up from 28 percent in 2007. And as the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the percentage of workers in their early 20s to decline, "attracting and retaining mature, experienced employees is becoming increasingly important for employers who seek to fill critical skill shortages and retain their competiti

According to AARP.com, by 2016, one-third of the total U.S. workforce will be age 50 or older, up from 28 percent in 2007. And as the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the percentage of workers in their early 20s to decline, "attracting and retaining mature, experienced employees is becoming increasingly important for employers who seek to fill critical skill shortages and retain their competitive edge in today's marketplace."

So AARP and the Society for Human Resource Management have compiled a list of the best employers for people over 50.

Companies make the list for several reasons: They actively recruit, retrain and retain older workers. They offer terrific health and financial benefits including — in many cases — wellness programs for those 50 and over. Many offer opportunities for people who are retired to come back part time, or on a project that have limited duration, or work a flexible schedule — like a four-day week. Phased retirement programs are also a plus.

Here’s the complete list:

1. National Institutes of Health (NIH)

2. Scripps Health

3. Atlantic Health System

4. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

5. Mercy Health System

6. The YMCA of Greater Rochester

7. West Virginia University

8. Bon Secours Virginia

9. National Rural Electric Cooperative Association

10. WellStar Health System

11. Cornell University

12. West Virginia University Hospitals

13. George Mason University

14. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

15. Monongalia General Hospital

16. S&T Bank

17. Virginia Commonwealth University

18. FCCI Insurance Group

19. TriHealth Inc.

20. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)

21. Stanley Consultants Inc.

22. Southern Company

23. Yale-New Haven Hospital

24. Michelin North America Inc.

25. Department of Veterans Affairs-Veterans Health Administration

26. Saint Vincent Health System

27. Cianbro Corporation

28. SSM Health Care

29. Solix Inc.

30. Mountain States Health Alliance

31. Central Florida Health Alliance

32. Securian Financial Group

33. One Nevada Credit Union

34. Swarthmore College

35. MEI Technologies Inc.

36. School Board of Brevard County

37. Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center

38. Tufts Health Plan

39. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

40. Coconino County

41. Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind

42. BlueCross and BlueShield of North Carolina

43. Ochsner Health System

44. University of Pittsburgh

45. American University

46. Lee County Electric Cooperative

47. Massachusetts General Hospital

48. Pinnacle Health System

49. Perkins Coie LLP

50. CheapCaribbean.com

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