STAMFORD, Conn., Feb 28, 2005 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Pitney Bowes (NYSE: PBI) and 12 other national companies were named "Featured Employers" today by the AARP Foundation for being forward-looking companies in regard to the impact of an aging workforce on employers, employees and on the economy. AARP named the companies as part of its launch of the Workforce Initiative designed to help job seekers remain in the workforce, as they desire.

The Workforce Initiative seeks to help mature jobseekers and workers close the existing gap of opportunities by offering employment connections, skills assessment and access to training. Pitney Bowes was recognized for giving equal consideration to mature job seekers as it does for applicants from all other groups. The company also provides programs to support their employees' health, education, preparation for retirement, care giving to elderly parents and other family members, among others.

"Pitney Bowes has a longstanding commitment to the recruiting and retaining of a diverse workforce. It has been one of the company's top priorities," said Johnna Torsone, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Pitney Bowes. "Mature workers are a part of that diversity. Our company applied to become part of AARP's initiative in 2004 as part of a strategy to recruit from diverse populations."

By 2010, almost one in five workers will be at least 55 and approaching retirement. But the pool of replacement workers won't be large enough to meet employers' demand for workers. For example, by 2010 the percentage of workers 55 to 64 will have increased 52 from 2000, while the number of workers 25 to 34 will only have increased by 8 percent. Demographic pressures mean employers will need mature workers.

"As we know at AARP from listening to our members, now is the time to directly impact the economic well being of those mature workers seeking employment and to begin to influence awareness of the need and value of the older worker" said Bill Novelli, CEO, AARP.

Pitney Bowes provides technical training in support of job skills (e.g. computer applications, customer service skills, other job-related technical skills). In addition, the PB Learning Center is an online e-learning platform that provides a broad curriculum of hundreds of classes and programs to help employees learn new skills.

At Pitney Bowes we offer a comprehensive set of benefits and development goals to all our employees that are particularly attractive to mature workers. The company's health insurance coverage for active and retired employees strongly emphasizes prevention. Many preventive screenings such as mammograms, PSA tests, flu shots and routine check-ups are covered in full or with just a small co-payment.

In locations where Pitney Bowes has on-site clinics, many routine screenings such as blood pressure testing are available free of charge to active employees. And our on-site clinics provide free medical care to employees.

Pitney Bowes is the world's leading provider of integrated mail and document management systems, services and solutions. The $5 billion company with 35,000 employees helps organizations of all sizes efficiently and effectively manage their mission-critical mail and document flow in physical, digital and hybrid formats. Its solutions range from addressing software and metering systems to print stream management, electronic bill presentment and presort mail services. More information about the company can be found at http://www.pb.com

The AARP Foundation is AARP's affiliated charity. Foundation programs provide security, protection and empowerment for older persons in need. Low- income older workers receive the job training and placement they need to re- join the workforce. The foundation relies on support from thousands of volunteers, donors and sponsors. It has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Information about the workforce Initiative, including assessment tools, job search tips and access to employment possibilities is available at http://www.aarp.org/careers. Information about Featured Employers can be found at http://www.aarp.org/featuredemployers.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50 and older have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole.

Contact: Peter Kerr

203-351-6350

SOURCE Pitney Bowes

Peter Kerr of Pitney Bowes, +1-203-351-6350

http://www.prnewswire.com