AARP Recognizes SSM Health Care As A Best Employer for Workers Over 50

SSM Health Care has been recognized as a top company in the 2013 AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50 program. This is the fifth time SSM has been recognized as a best employer for workers over 50. The top 50 list of 2013 winners includes employers from a variety of industry sectors, including for-profit and nonprofit, health care, universities, financial services, construction, aerospace, and federal and county government.

AARP credited SSM for its “LiveWell” health and wellness program, where employees are given monetary incentives to stay healthy. The points-based incentive program, offered to full- and part-time employees, encourages participation in wellness opportunities such as preventative screenings, physicals, smoking cessation programs, wellness coaching, health action challenges, as well as walking, biking and running distance events.

AARP also recognized SSM for its innovative Phased Retirement Options Program available to employees over age 62. In this program, employees who are not yet ready to retire can elect to receive their pension while continuing to work for SSM. To date, 87 employees between the ages of 62 and 65, and 408 employees over age 65 are taking advantage of this option to work. In addition, AARP also recognized SSM’s flexible scheduling options, legally domiciled adult insurance coverage and tuition reimbursement as programs that appeal to older workers.

Employees 50 and older represent approximately 36 percent of employees at SSM Health Care. Within the organization’s leadership ranks, 61 percent of executives and 49 percent of managers fall within this age group.

Any U.S.-based employer with at least 50 employees is eligible to apply for the Best Employers award. Candidates are vetted to ensure that practices meet the needs of mature workers. 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 retirement benefits; and retiree work opportunities.

The 50 winners were announced on June 17, 2013, at the Society for Human Resource Management annual conference in Chicago.

For a full list and for more information on the 2013 Best Employers, please go to www.aarp.org/bestemployers, which includes background on each employer’s workforce practices and a description of the selection process.  

About SSM Health Care

SSM Health Care is a Catholic, not-for-profit health system with an international reputation as a pioneer in the use of quality measures to improve care. With more than 7,000 physicians and 25,800 employees in four states, SSM is one of the largest employers in every community it serves. It owns and operates 18 hospitals located in Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Illinois and Missouri. In every region, SSM facilities forge creative relationships in the community to foster healthier people and healthier neighborhoods. Through these relationships and at its various sites, SSM serves more than 1.5 million people annually.