Predictors of retirement and coping in response to delayed retirement

Abstract

In the present study on the retirement intentions, 525 engineer alumni from a Southeastern university were surveyed. Consistent with the Kanfer and Ackerman (2004) framework of adult development and work motivation, I hypothesized perceived abilities-demands fit and needs-supplies fit, along with age, health and finances, would influence retirement intention. The potential negative effect of the recession on retirement plans led me to explore the coping behaviors of those who have modified their retirement timing in the past year. Age, finances, and abilities-demands fit were found to be related to retirement intentions, while no relationship was found between length of retirement delay and coping intensity. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.