As retirement becomes an extended component of the normative life cycle, understanding factors influencing retirement preparation activities of midlife individuals is important. This study examined the influence of gender, age, marital status, occupational status, educational attainment, income, perceived health, number of children, age of children, and number of dependent children on retirement planning behaviors and attitude toward retirement among 40- to 65-year-old university employees (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) and in their attitudes toward retirement. The relation ship between financial planning and total family income was the most significant finding. The discussion concludes with policy implications related to assisting midlife individuals in preparation for retirement.

This study examined the relationship between three midlife transitions and depressive symptoms among 952 women 50 to 59 years of age. Using longitudinal data from women interviewed for the 1992 and 2000 Health and Retirement Study, the study described changes in marital status, change to a parental caregiving role, and changes in perceived health across the eight years. Further, it examined the impact of these changes on mental health. The findings indicate that becoming widowed, becoming a caregiver, and perceiving health declines significantly increased depressive symptoms in the year 2000, even when controlling for pre-transition levels of depressive symptoms. The findings are consistent with the lifecourse perspective that individual development occurs in context and across the lifespan. The findings confirm and add to current midlife research literature.

Triangulating data sources, we are able to utilize the strengths of each study-providing an overview of the determinants of voter turnout and understanding of the changes related to older Americans' turnout in presidential elections.

No abstract

No abstract