Managing the transition to retirement: from meaningful work to meaning in life at retirement

Ariane Froidevaux and Andreas Hirschi

Chapter 23 in Handbook of Research on Sustainable Careers, 2015, pp 350-363 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: The aim of this chapter is to provide an understanding of retirement adjustment by specifically focusing on meaning in life for retirees and meaningful work for older workers who are close to retirement. After a first outline of global issues of aging and work, we approach transition to retirement from the standpoint of sustainable careers within its main dimensions of continuity and importance of personal agency. Next, we review and synthesize literature on meaningful work and meaning in life, distinguishing three levels that constitute meaningful work and five dimensions of meaning in life. To illustrate our points, we present quotations from semi-structured interviews realized with Swiss older workers who were going to retire within a few months. Then, we describe ways to promote meaningful work for older workers and how to create a new meaning or to pursue a previous meaning as a retiree. Finally, we suggest ways in which individuals, organizations and career counselors can facilitate a meaningful transition to retirement.

Keywords: Business and Management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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