The transition to retirement from academia

Retirees represent a growing segment of the population as life expectancy increases and the length of retirement is extended.This growth has prompted a number of studies into the nature of retirement.Associated with this interest is an exploration of the meaning of work and impacts on meaning formation in the transition to retirement.Increasingly, retirees are exploring concepts such as the 'third age' and 'successful ageing' as they enter their retirement years in a good state of mental and physical capacity.This exploration is particularly prevalent in those retiring from academic posts, for whom identity is often closely bound with their productive work, whether in research or teaching.Whatever the mode of stepping down from full-time paid employment, the literature is unanimous in its observation that planning for retirement is the strongest indicator of a successful and meaningful transition.