Transitioning into Retirement as a Stressful Life Event

Abstract

This chapter addresses the transition into retirement as a stressful life event. Using Atchley's Model (Atchley and Barusch 2004) of retirement as a road map for those transition careers at various levels of the workforce, the author notes that preretirement planning can take many forms. What preretirement information can do to empower the individual is what Kobasa (1979) calls "Psychological Hardiness Factors." These Hardiness Factors seem to help negate detrimental effects of stress. These Hardiness Factors include viewing the change as a challenge, believing in a sense of control and that the individual does have some control and influence over things that will affect him/her, and being committed to the goals one has set. The goal of any preretirement planning should be to learn all one can about retirement and the financial, emotional, psychosocial, and transitional stressors and demands placed on the individual as he/she is experiencing this process of retirement. This seems to be especially true of married couples and their relationship, which can be stressed by being with each other 24 h a day. Several suggestions are offered. Noting that Knowledge is power if it is put to use, the author encourages a proactive mental set that keeps the end—the retirement process—in mind. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved). (chapter)