Who Expects to Continue Working After Age 62? The retirement plans of couples

TitleWho Expects to Continue Working After Age 62? The retirement plans of couples
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2002
AuthorsPienta, AM, Hayward, MD
JournalThe Journals of Gerontology: Social Sciences
Volume57B
Issue4
PaginationS199-208
Call Numberpubs_2002_Pienta-Hayward.pdf
KeywordsAdult children, Demographics, Employment and Labor Force, Expectations, Health Conditions and Status, Healthcare, Methodology, Retirement Planning and Satisfaction, Risk Taking
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study examines the individual, spousal, and household characteristics associated with the retirement expectations of husbands and wives. METHODS: Using data from the 1992 Health and Retirement Study, subjective probabilities of working full-time after reaching age 62 and age 65 are used to measure retirement expectations. The retirement expectations of husbands and wives are modeled simultaneously using a joint-generalized least-squares approach. RESULTS: Within a marriage, retirement expectations are shaped by individual, spousal, and household characteristics. We observe some gender differences in cross-spousal influence with wives' retirement expectations being more influenced by husbands' resources and constraints than vice versa. Nonetheless, individual and household factors associated with retirement expectations are widely shared by husbands and wives. DISCUSSION: Husbands and wives both respond to individual and joint constraints and opportunities when planning for retirement. Findings support that there is considerable overlap in retirement planning of husbands and wives during early parts of the retirement decision-making process. However, inequity in cross-spousal influences is a defining characteristic of retirement decision making. Implications for both policy makers and practitioners are briefly discussed.

DOI10.1093/geronb/57.4.S199
Endnote Keywords

Choice Behavior/Employment/Female/Gender Identity/Health Status/Health Surveys/Middle Age/Retirement Expectations/Retirement Planning/Spouses/Psychology/Support, Non U.S. Government/Support, U.S. Government--PHS

Endnote ID

4520

Citation Key6797