Gender Differences in the Impact of Retirement on Social Networks and Life Satisfaction

Background and Purpose: Researchers often overlook the gender differences in the impact of retirement on older adults’ life satisfaction and social networks. Generally, women and men retire at different ages, and have different social support before and during retirement. Although many studies have identified gender differences in life satisfaction in retirement, few studies focus on gender differences in social networks and life satisfaction following retirement. The purpose of the study is twofold: (1) To describe older adults’ life satisfaction and social networks before and during retirement; and (2) To describe the gender differences in retirement life satisfaction and the quality of social networks before and during retirement.

Methods:  Data and Samples: This descriptive study uses three waves (2006, 2008, and 2010) of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). The sample includes a total of 701 retired women and men (mean age = 71 in 2006).

Measures: To analyze the study sample, we investigate demographics, employment, life satisfaction and Perceived-Social Support Relationship with spouse, children, friends, and family from the Leave-Behind Questionnaire.

Results:  We use Generalized Linear Model (GLM) to analyze the longitudinal data. We find that life satisfaction was higher in 2008 (retirement year), and the life satisfaction level remained consistent two years into retirement. We observe an insignificant decrease in the quality of social networks in 2008 and a slight recovery in 2010. We find no gender difference in life satisfaction and negative quality of social networks. However, we find gender differences in positive quality of social networks. Males report greater positive spousal relationships compared to females. Women have higher positive relationships with their children, family, and friends.

Conclusions: Supporting other findings, life satisfaction increases as a result of retirement, and is sustained in the subsequent retirement years. There are no gender differences in satisfaction after retirement. Non-response bias may explain why HRS participants are happier than non-response retirees as they were more willing to participate in lengthy surveys across many years and are more financially stable than their counterparts. This study provides evidence that women and men have different types of social support needs. Males rely heavily on spousal support, whereas females find more comfort in having support across all levels of social networks. These findings provide empirical evidence that retirement does not decrease life satisfaction, and that different genders need different types of social networks to prevent retirement loneliness.

Limitations: The sample size is not large enough to generalize to the entire population. However, it is enough to allude to the functionality of social networks and life satisfaction after retirement. Missing demographic (race and education) data are a barrier to a more diverse sample since most of the information investigated in the study is either labeled unknown or as missing.

Future Research: Further research could increase the sample size and investigate the level of satisfaction in more recent waves to determine if life satisfactions are sustained. Wes also recommend further investigating the role of marital status on life satisfaction upon retirement utilizing explanatory methods.