How are psychosocial factors related to retirement intentions?

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore the psycho‐social factors (i.e. older worker identity, development opportunities on the job, anticipation of lost social integration upon retirement) related to three types of retirement intention (i.e. full retirement, part‐time retirement, job mobility).

Design/methodology/approach

A representative sample of 196 workers aged 50 and over employed in an Italian public‐sector organization completed a research questionnaire. Hypotheses were tested by using structural equation models.

Findings

The results showed that: the older‐worker identity was related positively to full retirement intention and negatively to job mobility; development opportunity on the job was negatively related to the full retirement intention; the anticipation of lost social integration upon retirement was positively related to the intention to take part‐time retirement and job mobility.

Research limitations/implications

There are several limitations to the study: the cross‐sectional design; use of single items; the fact that the findings can be generalized only to the organization in which the study was conducted.

Practical implications

Retirement preparation programs should consider the various factors that affect the transition from work to retirement and which may facilitate prior planning by both the individual and the organization.

Originality/value

Expanding previous research studies, the study considers the complexity of preparation for retirement transition by exploring different types of retirement intentions and the psychosocial factors related to them.

Citation

Zaniboni, S., Sarchielli, G. and Fraccaroli, F. (2010), "How are psychosocial factors related to retirement intentions?", International Journal of Manpower, Vol. 31 No. 3, pp. 271-285. https://doi.org/10.1108/01437721011050576