RETIREMENT PREPARATION AS A PREDICTOR OF PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL BEING AMONG ISRAELI RETIREES: A MULTIDIMENSIONAL EXAMINATION

Abstract

Retirement represents one of the most significant developmental transitions in later adulthood. Beyond the cessation of employment, retirement involves substantial psychological, social, economic, familial, and health-related changes that may influence an individual's overall well-being and quality of life. In contemporary aging societies, successful adaptation to retirement has become an increasingly important concern for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners.
The purpose of this conceptual paper is to examine the role of retirement preparation as a predictor of psychological well-being among Israeli retirees aged 60–70 years. Drawing upon contemporary gerontological theories, including Resource Theory, Continuity Theory, and the Life Course Perspective, the paper proposes a multidimensional framework in which retirement preparation contributes to successful adaptation across six interrelated domains: psychological, familial, social, economic, professional, and health adaptation.
The literature suggests that individuals who engage in comprehensive retirement preparation are more likely to experience smoother transitions, stronger coping resources, greater life satisfaction, and higher levels of psychological well-being. Furthermore, multidimensional adaptation is expected to play a central role in facilitating positive retirement outcomes and maintaining quality of life throughout later adulthood.
Despite growing scholarly interest in retirement and successful aging, limited research has examined retirement preparation as a multidimensional construct, particularly within the Israeli context. Therefore, this paper addresses an important gap in the literature by presenting an integrated conceptual model linking retirement preparation, multidimensional adaptation, and psychological well-being.
The proposed framework may provide a foundation for future empirical research and contribute to the development of comprehensive retirement preparation programs designed to enhance retirees’ psychological well-being, successful adaptation, and overall quality of life.