Like a High Wave: Adjustment to Retirement

Purpose: The purposes of the study are to provide a phenomenological description of the pre- and post-retirement experience and to examine adjustment during the two periods. Design and Methods: This is a longitudinal study of 56 Israeli men that employs both personal interviews and standard measures of physical and mental health. Results: The pre-retirement interviews show four main perceptions. The dominant perception was as a period of uncertainty and crisis. The others were as providing hope for change, as a continuation of their lives until then, and as a developmental transition. Interviews 1 year post-retirement show that most of the men were happily occupied. Comparison of pre- and post-retirement scores on standardized tests shows reduced distress. Implications: The findings point to the desirability of supportive pre-retirement interventions that would emphasize working out emotional difficulties posed the anticipation of ending work.