Retirement as a Life Crisis: Myth or Reality? A Review

Abstract

Summary The literature on retirement has herein been examined with particular emphasis on whether the negative retirement stereotype is myth or reality. There appears to be very little hard data to support the stereotype. On the whole recent studies seem to indicate that people do quite well physically, mentally and socially after retirement and that the negative stereotype is indeed a myth. However, there is a definite need for much closer attention to experimental detail in future studies if the stereotype is to be unequivocally refuted. Moreover, there appear to be factors such as health, income, socioeconomic status, and personality structure which can predispose individuals to less fortunate retirement outcomes. Further research delineating these higher risk groups is needed before relevant intervention programs can be developed.