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This paper first highlights the economic importance of prolonging the working lives of older workers considering the anticipated decline in the labor force in Quebec. An analysis of the behavior of older workers in Quebec and Canada follows, showing that a growing number want to work longer either to increase their retirement income or for reasons of personal fulfillment. If they opt for later retirement, they often do so in a progressive manner, and by changing the time, place and content of their work. Finally, an employer interview study and a literature review show that management practices to promote the extension of workers’ working lives varies greatly from one organization to another. Consequently, further research is needed to better understand the societal, organizational and individual factors that promote the extension of working lives and the retention of older workers.