Life in Retirement: Findings from a Focus Group Study

Background and Purpose: As baby boomers reach retirement age, knowledge about retiree activities and adjustments to retirement are becoming more important. The current body of research outlines the three phases of retirement: the pre-retirement phase, the retirement phase, and the post-retirement phase. Most research studies have focused on the pre-retirement and post-retirement phases. Not much is known about the retirement behaviors, challenges, and coping mechanisms of early retirees.

This paper explores the life experiences of early retirees and describes their reality as they come to terms with the challenges of retirement. They differentiated between subjective meanings and subjective reality of retirement. In addition, the participants discussed positive and negative reactions to retirement and adjustments and suggestions for being successful in retirement.

Methods: The study analyzed the qualitative responses of seven retirees who participated in a focus group discussion regarding their experiences in retirement. The sample was predominantly white and consisted of four males and three females. Two of them had Wall Street backgrounds, while two others had education backgrounds. The others were an actor, a chauffeur, and a receptionist. Their education levels were diverse (75% had bachelor’s degrees, 15% had master’s degrees, and 10% had high school diplomas only). The average number of years in retirement was three. Participants were recruited through flyers at a local library in Suffolk County in New York. They described their experiences, and predictive factors leading to retirement. The discussions were tape recorded, and the themes were coded and analyzed using NVivo qualitative data analysis software. The study was guided by the theory of phenomenology.

Findings: Data analysis reveals positive and negative reactions to retirement, and it also shows adjustment issues and problems arising from retirement. In addition, the analysis reveals that men and women react differently to retirement. Positive reactions include the flexibility to pursue life-long goals, the freedom to do what is desired at the desired times, and the absence of daily commitments. Negative reactions include time management, role reversal (e.g., men becoming the “house husband”), health problems like weight gain and drinking problems, lack of activities to stimulate the mind, and loss of self-worth. Women report higher levels of socialization than men, and they tend to maintain their circle of friends from pre-retirement. Men report declines in social connections, as well as loneliness and struggles with isolation. Men also report the feeling of being less of a man as a result of the inability to bring home regular paychecks.

Conclusions and Implications: In summary, this study uncovers firsthand the life experiences of early retirees and describes their expressions of the negatives, the positives, and the realities of retirement. While prior studies have focused on pre-retirement and planning activities before retirement, significant adjustment issues and gender differences were found in the participants’ retirement experiences. Most people plan to retire, so social workers can provide information, education, and support to help older adults adjust better to life in retirement.