Recently Retired Non‐professional Men and Their Perceptions of Retirement

Objective: To provide insights for primary health workers into the nature of retirement for non‐professional men, to assist the promotion of healthy ageing for men. Method: The qualitative methodology of phenomenology was utilised to explore the recent retirement experience of ten men that were salutogenic (health creating) in nature, especially in relation to their social health. Information was gained via self‐reflective journals and in‐depth interviews. Findings: Four major themes were revealed which positively impacted on the men's social health. Retirement was perceived as (a) an anticipated life stage; (b) a time of freedom; (c) a time of activity, especially as a practical support to others; and (d) a time to consolidate primary relationships. Conclusions: The study supports other Australian literature on retirement and gives insights from the perspective of recently retired non‐professional men. It provides further information for those wishing to promote the social health of older men in the Australian context at both an individual and policy level.