A common theme of studies into retirement planning is that agrowing number of Americans is, for a host of reasons, delayingtheir golden years. Offering further insights into this trend isTowers Watson, which in a new report explores which workers aredelaying retirement and why.

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A key finding of the report is that American workers, mostnotably men, are entering the workforce later and staying on thejob longer. In 2013, nearly a quarter of men over age 65 (24percent) were in the workforce. This compares with 17 percent in1990, a 7 percent increase. Among women, the labor forceparticipation rate of those over 65 in 2013 was 15 percent, a 6percent rise from the 9 percent participation rate recorded in1990.

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What’s fueling the upward trend? The report attributes the riseto both economic factors and changes in the workplace.

<AHREF="http://ads.lifehealthpro.com/RealMedia/ads/click_lx.ads/www.lifehealthpro.com/life-insurance/life-planning-strategies/L61/2129666873/Right1/NUCO/LHProHome_GenworthLife_LifeInsurance_MedRec_10_01_2014/GenworthLife_LifeInsurance_300x250_Feb2014.html/4a4a436c483151326d56494141654851?http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/N3382.740335.LIFEHEALTHPRO/B7973020.11;sz=300x250;ord=2129666873?"><IMGSRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/N3382.740335.LIFEHEALTHPRO/B7973020.11;sz=300x250;ord=2129666873?"BORDER=0 WIDTH=300 HEIGHT=250ALT="Advertisement"></A> “Recenttrends are being driven by both workplace dynamics and adverseeconomic conditions,” the report states. “Many of today’s jobs areknowledge- or technology-based, enabling workers to continue theircareers well into their 60s and 70s. Moreover, many workers whomight otherwise retire believe they need keep working to rebuildsavings lost during the 2008 financial crisis.

“Some retirement delays are prompted by caution, with workersdeciding to extend their careers to buffer any future stumbles inthe financial markets,” the report adds.

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Towers Watson expects the trend to become more pronounced infuture years. The firm bases its forecast in part on recent searchshowing that more than 43 percent of full-time employees indicatedlast year their intention to postpone retirement. This compareswith just over a third in 2009.

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The report adds that nearly three quarter of individualsdelaying retirement plan to stay on the job an additional threeyears. And nearly one-third plan to retire at age 70 or later.