The employment decisions and family situation of older workers are increasingly important as public policy discussions address issues of balance between individual, family and government provision of caring for the elderly and income support in later life. This article explores the relationship between the responses of later life respondents in the Institute's Australian Family Life Course Study, and examines how workers aged 50 - 70 years perceive aspects of their working arrangements and conditions, retirement intentions and family life. This information has relevance for policies affecting work and family in later life.