ATLANTA, June 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time, Southern Company has been named as one of the Best Employers for Workers Over 50. One of only two corporations in Georgia to be included in the 2013 list, Southern Company joins a diverse group of health systems, corporations, government agencies and non-profits earning recognition from AARP and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

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"At Southern Company, we see diversity in multiple dimensions," said Kimberly S. Greene, president and CEO of Southern Company Services. "In addition to such components of diversity as an employee's race, gender, national origin and other attributes, we value diversity of experience – a mix of knowledge and skills that help achieve the company's goals."

As part of its commitment to its workforce, Southern Company offers competitive and quality benefits to support employees and retirees with valuable coverage for their personal, professional and retirement needs. The company was cited for its focus on health and benefits packages for employees and retirees, the SouthernLifeStyle wellness benefits program, opportunities for employees over 50 to make 401(k) catch-up contributions, continuous learning and development courses, alternative work arrangement offerings, and a dedicated retiree relations staff who seeks work prospects for retirees.

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.

With 4.4 million customers and nearly 46,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is the premier energy company serving the Southeast through its subsidiaries. A leading U.S. producer of clean, safe, reliable and affordable electricity, Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states and a growing competitive generation company, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for energy innovation, excellent customer service, high reliability and retail electric prices that are below the national average. Southern Company and its subsidiaries are leading the nation's nuclear renaissance through the construction of the first new nuclear units to be built in a generation of Americans and are demonstrating their commitment to energy innovation through the development of a state-of-the-art coal gasification plant. Southern Company has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense and G.I. Jobs magazine as a top military employer and listed by DiversityInc as a top company for Blacks. The company received the 2012 Edison Award from the Edison Electric Institute for its leadership in new nuclear development, was named Electric Light & Power magazine's Utility of the Year for 2012 and is continually ranked among the top utilities in Fortune's annual World's Most Admired Electric and Gas Utility rankings. Visit our website at www.southerncompany.com.

SOURCE Southern Company