Changing tracks: studies on life after retirement in the Netherlands

Research output: PhD ThesisPhD thesis

Abstract

This study seeks to provide more insight into adjustment to retirement by older workers and their partners in the Netherlands. The central question is how employees and their partners experience retirement in terms of it being a voluntary or involuntary transition, why adjustment to retirement is much more difficult and has more negative implications (in terms of health and well-being) in some cases than in others, and which factors play a dominant part in this respect. To answer these questions, multi actor panel data were collected about just under 800 older workers. In cases where there was a spouse present in the household, the spouse was interviewed independently. The retirement arena is in a state of flux. This study seeks to shed more light on how changes in legislation can affect —either positively or negatively— the well-being and health of older adults. We expect that, due to the changes in pension legislation, companies and organizations will face more varied and more unpredictable retirement behaviour. An understanding of the relationship between well-being, health and retirement could offer some direction on how to manage retirement processes. At the same time, this study may improve our understanding of how work and the loss of one’s work affect successful aging, and offer more insight into the circumstances under which retirement jeopardizes the well-being and health of older workers and/or their spouses.
Original languageUndefined
QualificationDoctor of Philosophy
Awarding Institution
  • Utrecht University
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Tazelaar, F., Promotor, External person
  • Henkens, C.J.I.M. (Kène), Promotor
Award date12 Oct 2006
Place of PublicationPoeldijk
Publisher
Print ISBNs90 87800010
Publication statusPublished - 2006

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