To Retire or Not to Retire? That Is the Question

Abstract

During the 1960s, there was extensive hiring of college and university faculty members. This large group of professors are now at or nearing retirement age. Concerns about the economy, the availability of good health insurance, increased life expectancy, and removal of mandatory retirement laws may influence decisions about when to retire. Although references about enjoying retirement are readily available, less information appears to exist about the decision-making process for faculty members. This article provides some initial information for faculty members facing the possibility of retirement as well as calls for the development of a discussion forum about retirement devoted to psychology faculty.