REASONS PEOPLE RETIRE AND THEIR RELATIONS TO ATTITUDINAL AND BEHAVIORAL-CORRELATES IN RETIREMENT

Attitudes and behaviors of individuals who were classified as retiring from their jobs for work, personal, or health reasons were examined to further our understanding of retirement. One hundred fifty retirees from a variety of occupations responded to a questionnaire and indicated how frequently they engaged in 50 behaviors. In addition, they reported their attitudes toward health, finances, people they associate with, and retirement. Two multiple group discriminant function analyses were completed; one used the frequency of engaging in behaviors and the other the attitudinal measures as the classification variables. Both analyses resulted in significantly higher than chance correct classifications of individuals into their main reason for retiring. Planning and engaging in activities versus lack of participation in activities (Function I) and active health practices and family interactions versus less concern with health issues and family (Function II) discriminated between those retiring for work, personal, and health reasons. Those retiring for personal reasons participated in more activities (Function I) than those retiring for work or health reasons. Those retiring for health reasons had the largest positive group centroid on Function II followed by those retiring for personal reasons; those retiring for work reasons had a negative group centroid. The attitudes discriminated best between those who retired for personal and health reasons. Implications of this research for retirement planning and counseling are discussed. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.