Influences of age and gender on workers' goals for retirement

Having clear goals for retirement is a critical determinant of life satisfaction and adjustment during the post-employment transition period. The purpose of the present study was to explore individuals' goals for retirement and determine whether age and gender differences exist among those goals. A sample of 55 working adults (aged 20-67) were asked to list their retirement goals. Items contained on respondents' lists were then classified into a taxonomy of retirement goals adapted from the work of LaPierre, Bastin, and Bouffard (1997). Both age and gender differences were identified in the concreteness of individuals' goals. Additionally, the number of retirement goals individuals hold decreased across the lifespan. Results also revealed patterns of age and gender differences across the various coding categories in the goal taxonomy. Findings are discussed in terms of the applied benefits of understanding the retirement goals of American workers.