The Impact of Preretirement Programs on the Retirement Experience

In an attempt to provide evidence on the impact of preretirement programs on the retirement experience of participants a longitudinal design was employed. Two experimental groups and a control group were used to evaluate a comprehensive group discussion program and an individual briefing program. Questionnaire data were collected prior to program initiation and again six years later. Over 80 male industrial workers participated throughout the project. Now age 65 or over they have been retired an average of 3.7 years. Posttest data indicate no significant effect upon the retirement experience by either program. No substantive differences with the control group were noted in length of adjustment period, accuracy of expectations, level of preparation, life satisfaction, attitude toward retirement, or job deprivation. It was concluded that the impact of preretirement programs may be of short duration and of primary value in the preretirement phase.