Retirement Experience of Non-Supervisory Personnel: A Study of Three Large Corporations

摘要

The present study is part of an ongoing study of the experiences of early retirees who retired between 1968 and 1978 from three large corporations. The subject of the present study is the non-supervisory personnel of these companies, almost half of whom were women. The survey questions dealt with the retirement decisions, expectations about retirement and postretirement experiences and activities, including returning to work. The responses indicate that inflation and income inadequacy, their own health and that of their spouses posed major problems for many. About one-quarter had worked postretirement, usually at jobs different from the previous and much lower paid. One-half of these worked more or less continually during retirement. Work was found to satisfy social as well as economic needs. Particular attention was given to the women respondents, especially because of their unexpectedly long work histories. The implications of the findings for current policy issues are also discussed.