As a possible metric of an improving economy, the Urban Institute announced Monday that fewer workers aged 62 and older applied for Social Security retirement benefits in 2011, possibly because of improved working opportunities.

Or, as the researchers note, because pension plans have disappeared and many over 62 realize they need to continue to work to make retirement a more financially insulated process.

Just 27 percent of older workers began collecting their benefits last year, which is the lowest rate since 1976.

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