The relationship between preretirement occupation and older adults' life satisfaction and self-rated health.

Pensioners currently compose nearly 20% of the British population; men and women can expect to spend an average of about 17 years and 19 years in retirement, respectively. The present study aimed to investigate the roles of preretirement occupation and self-rated health (SRH) on the attainment of life satisfaction in retired people. A total of 121 community-dwelling men and women (M age = 75.8 years, SD = 7.1) completed a survey to assess life satisfaction, self-rated health, retirement stress, retirement adjustment, and recollected aspects of preretirement occupation. Results revealed positive and significant correlations between scores on a life satisfaction measure and SRH, retirement stress, and retirement adjustment (all ps < .001). Path analysis indicated that aspects of previous employment that may predict an adverse influence on current life satisfaction and that engagement in voluntary work appears to have benefits for both life satisfaction and SRH. The authors conclude that many of the adverse effects of preretirement occupation can be helped or avoided through suitable retirement preparation and training.