FACTORS INFLUENCING ATTITUDE TOWARD RETIREMENT AND RETIREMENT PLANNING AMONG MIDLIFE UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEES

As retirement becomes an extended component of the normative life cycl e, understanding factors influencing retirement preparation activities of midlife individuals is important. This study examined the influenc e of gender, age, marital status, occupational status, educational att ainment, income, perceived health, number of children, age of children , and number of dependent children on retirement planning behaviors an d attitude toward retirement among 40- to 65-year-old university emplo yees (N = 2,760). The study used regression analysis to determine the demographic variables that differentiated between individuals on four planning scales (financial, home equity, employment, and locational) a nd in their attitudes toward retirement. The relationship between fina ncial planning and total family income was the most significant findin g. The discussion concludes with policy implications related to assist ing midlife individuals in preparation for retirement.