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Not Just One Long Vacation: Revisiting the Importance of Lifestyle Planning in the Transition to Retirement

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2024

Susan L. Hutchinson  and
Christine Ausman
Susan L. Hutchinson*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health, School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
Christine Ausman
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health, School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
*
Corresponding author: La correspondance et les demandes de tirésàpart doivent être adressées à : / Correspondence and requests for offprints should be sent to: Susan L. Hutchinson, School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, 6230 South Street, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2 (Susan.Hutchinson@dal.ca).
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Abstract

Background

There is a need to further understand the nature and role of planning for one’s lifestyle in retirement.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine retirement planning and how it impacts perceived preparedness and satisfaction with the retirement transition, as well as to explore personal experiences of retirement.

Methods

Canadians (n = 748) fully or partly retired participated in an online survey that included quantitative questions about perceived retirement preparedness and satisfaction and open-ended questions about retirement goals, fears, challenges, and advice.

Findings

Results determined that while both financial and lifestyle planning were significant predictors of higher perceived preparedness, only lifestyle planning was a significant predictor for satisfaction. Overall, no gender differences were detected. Open-ended comments highlighted the importance of planning for one’s lifestyle in retirement, including meaningful activities and social connections.

Discussion

Individualized career advising as well as group-based educational programs or peer-assisted learning initiatives appear warranted to support people in planning for their lifestyle in retirement.

Résumé

RésuméContext

Il est nécessaire de mieux comprendre la nature et le rôle de la planification du mode de vie à la retraite.

Objectif

L’objectif de cette étude était d’examiner la planification de la retraite et son incidence sur la préparation perçue et la satisfaction à l’égard de la transition à la retraite, ainsi que d’explorer les expériences personnelles de la retraite.

Méthodes

Des Canadiens (n = 748) totalement ou partiellement retraités ont participé à une enquête en ligne comprenant des questions quantitatives sur la préparation et la satisfaction perçues à l’égard de la retraite, ainsi que des questions ouvertes sur les objectifs, les craintes, les défis et les conseils en matière de retraite.

Résultats

Les résultats ont montré que la planification financière et la planification du mode de vie étaient des prédicteurs significatifs de meilleures perceptions de préparation, mais que seule la planification du mode de vie était un prédicteur significatif de satisfaction. Dans l’ensemble, aucune différence entre les sexes n’a été décelée. Les commentaires ouverts ont souligné l’importance de planifier son mode de vie à la retraite, y compris des activités et des relations sociales enrichissantes.

Discussion

Une orientation professionnelle individualisée, ainsi que des programmes éducatifs de groupe ou des initiatives de formation assistée par les pairs semblent justifiés pour aider les gens à planifier leur mode de vie à la retraite.

Keywords

leisurelifestyle planningretirementretirement planningretirement satisfactionagingloisirsplanification du mode de vieretraiteplanification de la retraitesatisfactionà l’égard de la retraitevieillissement
Type
Article
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 43 , Issue 3 , September 2024 , pp. 414 - 426
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Copyright
© Canadian Association on Gerontology 2024

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