Contributing Factors to Post-Retirement Employment and Life Satisfaction

This study aimed to investigate the contributing factors to post-retirement employment andexamine the relationship between post-retirement employment and retirement satisfactionfrom a social work perspective. This study is secondary-data quantitative research utilizingdata from the RAND HRS Longitudinal File 2020. The sample was restricted to individualsborn in 1948 and 1949, comprising 1561 respondents. The study tracked the changes inretirement trajectories and self-reported well-being over time, providing insights into thedynamics of various factors shaping retirement plans, decisions, and satisfaction. The resultsrevealed several significant findings. Being African American or Hispanic was associatedwith a lower likelihood of intending to work beyond age 65 but a higher likelihood of postretirement employment. Higher total household wealth was associated with a reducedintention to work past age 65, yet a greater likelihood of remaining in the labor market. Thehealth and employment status of a spouse significantly influenced older adults' workintentions, retirement decisions, and overall satisfaction. Additionally, there were notablereciprocal correlations between respondents’ plans to work and their retirement decisions.The findings offer valuable insights for gerontological social work practice by highlightingthe job-related needs of older clients. They emphasize the importance of educating employersabout the benefits of hiring older workers and advocating for age-friendly policies, such asflexible work arrangements and phased retirement options. These insights lay thegroundwork for enhancing future practitioners’ readiness to promote equal employmentopportunities for older adults and to support their well-being throughout retirement.