A Matter of Time: Why Some People Plan for Retirement and Others Do Not

• DOI: 10.1093/workar/wau005
• Publication Date: 2015-06-07T07:41:00Z
• Authors: J. K. Earl; T. C. Bednall; A. M. Muratore
• Keywords: 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine

This study explored time perspective (TP) as a predictor of retirement antecedents (retirement planning) and consequences (adjustment, well-being, and life satisfaction). Utilizing a 3-wave longitudinal study with 367 retirees, the stability of TP was explored to determine whether it is best represented as a state or trait. Between 79% and 93% of the variance in TP can be explained by trait rather than state. Present hedonistic, past negative, and future oriented predicted retirement planning. Outcomes of retirement were positively predicted by retirement planning, and past positive TP, and negatively predicted by past negative, present fatalistic, and present hedonistic TP. Implications for the design of retirement interventions were explored acknowledging the stability of TP and the influence of different TPs on planning and adjustment.