Helen Barnes

Does Retirement Offer a "Window of Opportunity" for Lifestyle Change? Views From English Workers on the Cusp of Retirement.

Objective: Improving health behaviors can delay or prevent lifestyle diseases. Previous quantitative studies suggest that interventions at retirement may be particularly effective. This study introduces the voices of older people to explore the potential of retirement as a change point. Method: This qualitative study of current and anticipated health behaviors among 55 people approaching retirement in England reports thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews. Results: Many respondents expected improved health behaviors whether from conscious changes or simply as a beneficial side effect of retiring, while a smaller group felt retirement carried inherent health risks, with a need to guard against these. Discussion: The retirement transition can potentially establish positive health behaviors, but interventions need careful targeting to maximize their benefit. Further research is required to explore how far intentions translate into practice and the barriers and facilitators to doing so.

What Happens to Retirement Plans, and Does This Affect Retirement Satisfaction?

This study examines the role of planning and plan fulfillment for retirement satisfaction using a dynamic resource theory approach. A 3-year qualitative longitudinal design was deployed with interviews conducted first on the cusp of retirement, then 1 and 2 years after retirement. The final sample comprised 41 individuals from England, 40 from Italy, and 30 from the United States. Realizing plans was found to be linked to retirement satisfaction. However, many retirees adjusted well to retirement without planning in advance, or when plans were thwarted, and sometimes retirement did not live up to expectations despite fulfillment of plans. Psychological resources and resilience were key dimensions of satisfaction regardless of planning. Retirement satisfaction was also associated with social integration, adoption of new social roles, and opportunities to be active within and beyond the private sphere, such as volunteering or participating in leisure oriented clubs or activities. Regardless of planning, the quality of family relationships was a particularly important element for retirement satisfaction or dissatisfaction.