This concluding chapter reviews salient points raised in the volume. It considers what stakeholders should play a role in reinventing academic retirement. The chapter also identifies a number of issues each individual retiree must address in order to achieve a successful transition from work life to retirement.

Today's society, shaped by demographic changes and a global economy, has created different employment trends and work lives that result in adults' engaging in postretirement second careers. This phenomenon is a common occurrence in rapidly aging societies like Korea. This qualitative study examined the postretirement career transition process of…

Fewer than half of all Americans will be financially ready to retire at age 65, according to a recent Boston College study. Two coinciding needs, purpose and a paycheck, are driving a huge surge of interest in meaningful "encore careers"--paid second acts in areas such as education, human services, the environment, and fighting poverty.…

The concept and the process of retirement are rapidly evolving. As a result, psychologists are in a unique position to understand and explain the dynamics behind the changing face of retirement. We begin this article with a brief overview of the history of retirement and then note the various definitions used when studying retirement. We then…

This paper addresses the question of benefits of education from a life course perspective. Using data from a study of 1600 students (response rate 48%) on an open access program at a London University college, it explores educational activity within the framework of a transitions model. In addition to the quantitative evidence, the article uses…

Shifts in the work force (both in education and more broadly) provide an opportunity to apply other creative approaches in the quest for more effective STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) teaching. Increasingly, professionals change careers and explore new and varied professional opportunities, rather than remain in a single…

Human resource development professionals must help workers realistically assess their options and plan for retirement well in advance. To do this they need to be aware of the ramifications of corporate trends in retirement policies. (JOW)

Since hobbies and recreational activities don't generate the intellectual satisfaction and adrenaline flow of a successful and challenging career, principals need to develop new midlife careers to replace some of the emotional supports that slip away after retirement. This article offers helpful advice on avoiding retirement pitfalls and pursuing…

Discussions with 11 retired nurses and 8 in the preretirement phase revealed concerns about adequate finances and timing of retirement, anticipation of increased discretionary time, sadness over loss of collegial relationships, and a variety of strategies for coping with the transition. (SK)

Uncertainty about identity and the future is occurring at a stage of life when people do question what they have achieved and what they still want to achieve. The notion of midlife crisis has been in existence for some time but recently its occurrence has coincided with opportunities to take early retirement or redundancy. This has meant that the…

This document contains prepared statements and witness testimony from the Congressional hearing on the economics of aging and preretirement planning. Prepared statements are given by Representatives Skelton and Daub. Topics which are discussed include the population affected, needs of the elderly, and government role. Witness testimony is given by…

Adults, by choice or necessity, are often faced with making work-to-school, work-to-work, or work-to-retirement transitions. Adult educators should be aware of the strains and expectations of each transition in order to help adult learners manage change effectively. (SK)

Examines the fears people have concerning retirement and the importance of one's job to one's self-image. The author suggests steps one can take to help prepare for retirement, such as promoting alternate aspects of your life, associating with people outside of your job arena, and developing and maintaining outside interests. (CT)

Examined the impact of career orientation and demographic variables on retirement attitudes, intended age of retirement, and retirement preparation among university employees (N=213). Results indicated that occupational status is associated with unique patterns of career orientation as well as differences in anticipated age of retirement.…

Increased turbulence in the workplace is affecting the careers of an aging workforce: changed skill needs, relations with employers and coworkers, and attitudes toward retirement and aging. Study of careers beyond midlife should bear in mind that retirement is an individual decision and the aging process is unique to the individual. (SK)