Pre-retirement job and the work-to-retirement occupational transition process in Australia: A review

The transition from work to retirement is a complex process and unique experience with a relationship existing between work and retirement with implications for health in later life. This review explored the relationship between pre-retirement job and participation in the work-to-retirement transition process in Australia by exploring: (i) factors influencing retirement in relation to pre-retirement job; (ii) how jobs are classified; (iii) the effect of pre-retirement job (based on categories) on this occupational transition; and (iv) the potential role for occupational therapy in this occupational transition.

An integrative literature review was completed. PRISMA guidelines were used. Study designs were analysed for methodological quality using the National Health and Medical Research Council levels of evidence. Thematic analysis determined retirement factors which were used to compare differences between jobs.

This review included 15 papers. There were two Level III-2, one Level III-3 and 13 Level IV studies. Factors influencing retirement related to the stages of work, preparation, transition and retired. White collar and blue collar was the most common job classification system. Although white collar and blue collar worker definitions utilised were inconsistent, differences between the two groups were still determined in all stages.

Differences in the work-to-retirement transition process, based on pre-retirement job, are evident. Understanding differences by job groupings may assist occupational therapists to understand individualised needs during this occupational transition and subsequent tailoring of interventions (both individual and group based) to enable engagement in meaningful occupation in the work-to-retirement occupational transition to effect active healthy ageing.