This study analyzed relationships between successful adjustment to retirement, preretirement counseling, and the psychological, economic, and other background characteristics of individual employees. A preliminary study in the western states showed no small companies, and relatively few other, with preretirement counseling programs of any consequence. Eight large and medium sized companies, four with and four lacking such programs, constituted the sample; 648 retirees and employees were interviewed. Most retirees (75%) accepted retirement as such, but many retirees and employees opposed mandatory retirement policies. Finances, health, activities, retirement attitudes, previous retirement planning, morale, and job skill level were significantly related to good adjustment; resistance to retirement correlated with income, activities, financial planning, health, enjoyment of activities, retirement attitudes, and marital status. Activities, health, and financial planning were especially germane. It was concluded that preretirement counseling programs aided adjustment and weakened older employees' resistance to retirement, as well as improving morale and job related attitudes. (The report includes 331 tables, methodology of the study, and questionnaire.) (LY)