Bibliographies
The following bibliography has been compiled from the Australian Family & Society Abstracts database and other resources held in the Institute's library. Where available a link to the document on the Web is provided. Most items can be borrowed from the Institute's library via the inter library loan system. Online publications in PDF format require Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Retirement
Aspects of retirement for older
women.
Warren, Diana
Canberra, ACT: Office for
Women, 2006, 78p, tables, figures, Online (PDF 1.04MB)
This
report compares key characteristics of retirement for men and women
including reasons for retiring, transitions to retirement, life
satisfaction, the effect of the presence of a spouse or partner and
financial security. The study is based on a literature review and the
Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey; the
population considered were men and women aged 45 and over. The report
presents new findings about differences in life in retirement for single
and partnered women, as well as confirming existing findings, for example
the importance of education and health as factors influencing
retirement.
Australian baby boomers' expectations and plans for their old
age.
Quine, Susan; Carter, Stacy
Australasian
Journal on Ageing v.25 no.1 Mar 2006: 3-8
The ageing of
Australia's baby boomers will significantly change Australian society.
However, it is unclear what is known about the expectations and plans of
this cohort for their retirement and old age. This paper provides a
first step by reviewing the Australian literature, focusing on areas of
health, housing, work and income, and responsibility. The review
identified that, despite agreement about the significance of baby
boomers' ageing, empirical work directly addressing the research topics
was rare. In particular, there was little coverage of baby boomers'
ascription of responsibility for their welfare in older age. If policies
are to be effective, empirical research obtaining information directly
from baby boomers is required to fill the gaps identified through this
review. (Journal abstract, edited)
For better or for worse but not for lunch.
De
Vaus, David; Wells, Yvonne
Threshold no.82 Oct 2004: 6-11,
figure
Retirement is beginning to be seen as a transition
rather than an event, and studies of the effects of retirement on marital
relationships are revealing that an initial increase in marital conflict
is often temporary. This article questions the assumption implied by the
title, of retirement as an event with generally negative consequences for
both partners of a marriage. It discusses research showing that over time
retirement can promote marital quality.
For better, for worse, but not for lunch.
Alvey, E
Threshold no.72 Autumn 2002: 9
This article is
part of a series in which a number of contributors examine some of the
challenges facing couples in the second half of marriage. It is
published as an aid to educators working with couples in long term
relationships. The author discusses a program she designed for couples
preparing for retirement. The rationale for this was based on the gap
between the many opportunities for retirees to obtain advice on financial
planning, housing and leisure ideas, but a lack of information on aspects
of the relationship.
I married him for better or for worse but not for lunch: retirement and
marriage.
de Vaus, D; Wells, Y
In: 8th
Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference, Melbourne, 12-14
February 2003: proceedings. Melbourne, Vic: Australian Institute of
Family Studies, 2003, 22p, tables, figures, Online only (PDF 231K)
Retirement is a major transition that has considerable potential
to affect the marital relationships of those who retire. Retirement can
have an impact on a person's roles and identity, the amount of time a
couple spends together, and the roles and responsibilities of each
partner following retirement. This paper reports findings from a four
wave panel study of men and women retirees. These retirees were tracked
from just before they retired until three years after retirement.
Information was collected on a range of aspects of the marital
relationship from both the retiree and their spouse. The paper describes
the extent and ways in which marital relationships changed following
retirement and identifies factors related to the different marital
outcomes following retirement. (Author abstract, edited)
Retirement expectations: gender differences and partner
effects in an Australian employer-funded sample.
Onyx,
Jenny; Baker, Ellen
Australasian Journal on Ageing v.25 no.2 Jun
2006: 80-83, tables
The concept of retirement has been
undergoing change, and opportunities for a variety of retirement
lifestyle options are increasing. Retirement plans for one cohort are
examined in this context. Responses to a questionnaire of 200 public
sector employees attending a retirement seminar were analysed by gender.
Findings suggest that both men and women viewed retirement as a positive
experience, focusing on opportunities for further personal development.
This approach was more evident among women. However, both men and women
would prefer to maintain a form of reduced employment after retiring.
There were no gender differences in reasons for retiring at that time,
but those with partners were more likely to retire because of family
responsibilities. Implications for theories of ageing and public policy
are discussed. A more flexible approach to retirement policy is urged.
Retirement may provide more opportunities for personal growth than
decline. (Journal abstract, edited)
The
retirement expectations of middle-aged individuals.
Cobb-Clark, Deborah A; Stillman, Steve
Canberra, ACT: Centre for
Economic Policy Research, Australian National University, 2006, 23p,
figures, tables (Discussion paper no.540), Online (PDF 131K)
Using data from the first three waves of the Household, Income and Labour
Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, this paper examines the retirement
plans of middle aged workers. Although about two thirds of men and more
than half of women appear to be making standard retirement plans, more
than 20 per cent of others have delayed their retirement plans and about
ten per cent do not know when or whether they will retire. Those workers
who do not know when they expect to retire are those who face uncertainty
and have concerns about their retirement income. Men's retirement plans
are altered in response to labour market shocks, while women's are more
likely to be altered in response to changes in their own or their
partners' health.
Retirement intentions of mature age workers.
Knox,
Gary
In: Australian Social Policy Conference, 9-11 July 2003 -
Papers. Sydney, NSW: Social Policy Research Centre, University of New
South Wales, 2003, 26p, Online only (PDF 103K)
Using data
from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey
(HILDA), the paper examines the retirement plans of people aged 45-54
years. The paper explores the age group's intended retirement age and how
various factors such as gender, occupation, income, health, homeownership
and level of community participation affect the planned timing of their
retirement. Using results from the Workforce Circumstances and Retirement
Attitudes Survey, the paper considers the push and pull factors affecting
their retirement decision and assesses people's level of superannuation
and savings and how this might affect their retirement decision. (Author
abstract)
The rollercoaster ride of retirement.
Saunders, Sarah
Threshold no.82 Oct 2004: 4-5
Retirement is a major milestone in many people's lives, and it often has
a strong impact on marital relationships. This article outlines the
relationship difficulties that may be posed by the retirement of one or
both partners, and discusses ways in which the relationship can be
renegotiated and renewed.
Ulyssean ageing: an alternative model for the third
age.
Onyx, Jenny; Leonard, Rosemary
In:
Australian Social Policy Conference 2007. Sydney, NSW: Social Policy
Research Centre, University of New South Wales, 2007, 10p, Online only
(PDF 68KMB)
This paper describes the concepts of Grey Nomads
and Ulyssean Ageing, which represent new ways of ageing and community
engagement. The authors propose a template of ageing styles and their
policy implications: Ulyssean, Continuity, Pleasure and relaxation; and
Decline. The Ulyssean approach sees retirement as independence and a time
for exploration and self-transcendence, an example - the so-called Grey
Nomads - independent people over 50, who travel for extended periods
within their own country in search of learning, freedom, and adventure.
Instead of retirement policies concerned with health decline and
financial security, the Ulyssean ageing style requires policies
addressing training, vounteering, and travel. Since many Grey Nomads are
interested in volunteering during their travels, the authors conducted
surveys in six rural towns about the interests of Grey Nomads and the
local opportunities for volunteering. This highlights the mutual economic
and social benefits for communities and older people to incorporate the
different approaches to ageing in their policies and services.
Understanding baby boomers' expectations and plans for their
retirement: findings from a qualitative study.
Quine,
Susan; Bernard, Diana; Kendig, Hal
Australasian Journal on Ageing
v.25 no.3 Sept 2006: 145-150, tables
This study explored the
range of expectations and plans for retirement of Australian baby
boomers. Participants were recruited to 12 focus groups in New South
Wales in 2004, grouped by socio economic status, gender and geographical
location. Topics raised included work, retirement and financial and
other planning. Transcriptions of the sessions were analysed manually to
identify the range of views on each topic and any variation by the
selected study variables. Although some baby boomers had planned for
their retirement many had not. Socio economic status was the most
important variable associated with planning. The findings increase
understandings of how baby boomers from different backgrounds are
thinking and planning for their retirement. Baby boomers from low socio
economic backgrounds consider that responsibility for retirement funding
should rest either solely, or partially, with the government as they have
not had time to accumulate sufficient superannuation. (Journal abstract,
edited)
Women and retirement incomes in Australia: a
review.
Jefferson, Therese
Economic Record v.81
no.254 Sept 2005: 272-291, table
More than 60 per cent of age
pensioners in Australia are women. Although public policy encourages
private saving for retirement through compulsory superannuation,
projections of women's superannuation accumulations predict that women
will continue to rely heavily on government and private transfers in
retirement. This review synthesises the outcomes from existing research
to show that expectations about the level and source of women's
retirement incomes are clearly linked with low earnings. This occurs in
combination with both attitudinal and institutional barriers to active
retirement planning. (Journal abstract)
Working towards retirement: promoting positive mental health
among men in pre-retirement years.
Speirs, T; Wilson, M
In: Morrow, L., Verins, I. and Willis, E. eds. Mental health and work:
issues and perspectives. Bedford Park, SA: Auseinet, 2002, p110-125
For many men, work and the ability to work have strong
associations with masculinity, status and self esteem. The authors
examine mental health promotion options for men between 50 and 65 before
they retire. They believe that men do not plan productively for
retirement because they are constrained by restrictive interpretations of
masculine identity, and suggest that a pro-active social and health
policy is integral to bridging the gap between expectation and
experience. They call for all levels of the community to become involved
in realistic retirement planning, including government, unions, large and
small businesses.