Men's Perceptions of Family during the Retirement Transition

Abstract

This study provides a phenomenological description of pre- and postretirement perceptions of family and their impact on adjustment to retirement. The study is qualitative and employs interviews as a means of collecting life stories and life scenarios of men on the eve of their retirement transition. The findings corroborate that retirement is a family transition. The most important results shed light on retirees’ loneliness and need for support. Supportive preretirement interventions are recommended. In addition, the results showed family perceptions’ contribution to postretirement adjustment. Thus, in order to help the retirees to accept their retirement transition, it suggests that the preretirement intervention should focus on the family as a whole, especially when retirees plan their future.