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Increased divorce rates, declining marriage rates, and a predisposition to widowhood in later life all contribute to the heterogeneous marital histories of women approaching retirement. Existing research on retirement, however, has not considered the diversity in marital status that exists among retired women. The purpose of the present study was to explore the influence of marital status (i.e., married, remarried, widowed, divorced/separated, never-married) on women's retirement satisfaction. Using a purposive sampling method, self-administered questionnaires were distributed to retired women. Participants (N = 331) were asked to report on their retirement satisfaction, psychological well-being, and perceived health. Results revealed retirement satisfaction and perceived health differed by marital status. Psychological well-being, however, did not differ significantly between marital groups. Future research exploring diversity in marital status among retired women is suggested.

Despite empirical support for the positive effects of health and wealth on retirement satisfaction, alternative variables also play a key role in helping to shape women's assessment of retirement. In the present study, we explore personal and psychosocial predictors of women's retirement satisfaction while controlling for financial security and health. Data from 330 retired women were analyzed using stepwise regression analysis. Results indicate the most significant predictors of women's retirement satisfaction are self-esteem, mastery, emotional support, and ethnicity. Financial security remained a significant predictor of satisfaction; whereas health did not. Suggestions are made to recognize the importance of women's psychological health in retirement, examine different types of social support in relation to stage of retirement, and incorporate diverse audiences in women's retirement research.

This study compares the retirement experiences of professional and nonprofessional women. The analysis is based on 48 interviews with women ranging in age from 63-83 years. Participants provided personal and occupational histories and described their retirement decisions, transitions, and lives in retirement. The women's retirement experiences differed in five areas: (1) attachment to work, (2) professional identity, (3) social contacts, (4) family roles/obligations, and (5) community involvement. Findings indicate investment in the work role does affect how women transition to retirement as well as how they structure their time in retirement.