Retirement
Lezy (LGBTQIA+) Days
This is the second in the series of Robert Havighurst’s developmental tasks: Later Maturity
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Retirement: Plan and prepare for common pitfalls
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This is the second in the series of Robert Havighurst’s developmental tasks: Later Maturity
Retirement is the goal of many (all?) in the workforce almost from the time of their first day on the job until it actually happens. Hours are spent dreaming about what they will do and where they will go.
Retirement age is mainly determined by Social Security benefits: when, how and how much? Since 60% of Americans plan to rely on Social Security as their main source of income when they retire1, the potential benefits are critical.
The earliest an individual can begin collecting Social Security benefits is at age 62. The benefit amount is determined by qualifying factors, such as length of work history and wages earned. Full retirement benefits are based on the individual's date of birth, which at the earliest is 66 years. The amount of collection is reduced by early collecting. Even the month of initiation of benefits can affect the benefit amount. The amount received at the inception age determines the benefits which will be received for the remainder of the individual’s life.2
Collection and benefits between the age of 62 and full requirement consists of decreased available benefits, the average reported at $1,666.00 per month.1 The full retirement benefit age is 67. As of 2023, this amount is $3,627.00 per month, again based on the wage earner’s earlier income. For those who delayed collecting until they were 70, the highest amount is $4,555.00 per month.3
There are differing circumstances when health problems exist. The Social Security website www.ssa./gov/benefits/retirement can provide more in-depth information on benefits and the initiation of benefits.2
Another major consideration in the retirement decision-making process is insurance. Some companies offering insurance to their employees may continue after they are 65, but often strongly suggest they enroll in Medicare.
Medicare is a national health insurance program, benefits of which are available at age 65. Individuals are advised to apply within three months of their 65th birthday. For some reason, a delay from the timetable results in higher premium costs. The timing of enrollment is critical in that if not signed up for benefits during prescribed periods, there is a lifelong penalty.4
For an employee who has had insurance through a company plan, the enormity of not having a job, and/or not having insurance is major.
These and other issues facing persons growing older are theorized by Robert Havighurst, who developed the concept of developmental tasks. These tasks were divided by ages and stages during a person’s life. The achievement, or learning involved in each task leads to happiness and success in later tasks, while failure leads to unhappiness in the individual, disapproval by society and difficulty with later tasks. 5
The developmental stage for the older individual (60 years and older) was designated by Havighurst as Later Maturity. Within the tasks to be learned and mastered were “Adjusting to decreasing physical strength and health,” and “Adjusting to retirement and reduced income.”6
Mark Cussen, 2021 Journey through the 6 stages of retirement, 7 has expanded upon this theory and divided retirement as a journey through six phases:
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Stage 1 Pre-retirement planning.
This phase involves saving and plans to ensure there will be adequate funds when Social Security may be the only source of income. Individuals often cannot fully imagine what they will actually do, once not working.
Stage 2 Day of retirement
This phase is often marked by an acknowledgment of work achievement, collection of personal belongings and out the door.
Stage 3 Honeymoon
The individual gets to do all the things they want to do, such as travel and hobbies.
Stage 4 Disenchantment
This phase often results in a feeling of letdown. It can “bring loneliness, boredom, feelings of uselessness and disillusionment.” It is a stage which often results in serious consequences for the individual who is stuck in it (and cannot figure out how to get past the negatives).
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This is a time of absence. There are no prescribed behaviors or expectations as there were earlier in their lives. There are fewer clear-cut obligations. There are few structured guidelines. It easily sets retirees adrift. They can easily develop a sense of no importance, incompetence and uselessness. Loss of job and routine must be grieved and not buried.
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It is a time of high divorce rate: at 43% between the ages of 55 and 64 (the average overall rate is 34%).8 This is a time of relationship examination and decision-making. Issues that may have been percolating for years become obvious when the retiree is no longer out-of-the-house at work.
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Major factors precipitating divorce include infidelity, financial problems, abuse and communication problems. 9
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Stage 5 Reorientation
This phase involves identification of a new self. During the process, the individual is now likened to a newborn. Their achievements and worth at work are gone. They are yesterday's news. They are a “WAS-IT.” Their status and power are no more. This usually comes as a great surprise to those whose self-identity and worth were coupled with work. They may have been a big deal. Now it may be transferred to how many children they have and how many grandchildren. There is little to boast about and little appreciation for their current existence. Self-esteem may deteriorate. There are problems about what to do with their time, which may seem endless.
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A major accomplishment must be to reestablish self-worth and self-esteem. Clark and Anderson 10 identified primary needs upon which self-esteem is based: independence, social acceptability, adequacy of personal resources, ability to cope with external threats or losses, and the ability to cope with changes in the self. All of which may provide challenges to the retired individual who is under the stress of previous external motivators. It was dictated what to do back then and what rewards followed.
Stage 6 Moving on
A new identity has to be established, an identity that is comfortable and enjoyable; that gives worth and purpose.7
The divorcee who has been in an unhappy marriage for years, has the chance for a life of joy, happiness and love.11
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It takes courage to age. It takes courage to achieve the developmental tasks of the Mature Adult. The previous tasks were based on motivation from outside. The mature adult must find within themselves motivation to find their way. They have essentially relinquished their productive roles. They must find courage: the “choice and willingness to confront agony, pain, danger, uncertainty or intimidation.12 The courage to persevere.
Robinson and Smith 13 identify several challenges to successful retirement. A few of these challenges involve having extra time and how to fill the time, feeling isolated (their coworkers are gone), and having less money to spend. Now they have to become accustomed to CAN'T BUY THAT.
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They suggest techniques to adjust to the change retirement presents. A few of their suggestions include: adjusting one’s attitude, building resilience, acknowledging the emotions involved with loss, accepting things as they are and setting new goals.13
They stress the importance of finding new purpose and seeking social support. They emphasize healthy eating and behavioral practices, and keeping one's brain challenged.13
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In revisiting Havighurst’s developmental task, “Reduced income,” 6 is a determinate in successful retirement and also a cause for failure.
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Some of the major mistakes14 individuals make in retirement include:
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Applying for Social Security benefits too early.
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Spending the way they used to spend when working.
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Forgetting healthcare expenses (that are bound to occur; typically $4,300 per year).
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Lazic 1 reports to retire comfortably, one should have 80% of their pre-retirement income. Sixty percent of Americans plan to rely on Social Security as their main source of income when they retire. That means if enrollment in Social Security is chosen too early, and even with full benefits, the benefits would hardly meet their prescribed 80%. To offset that reduction, it means it is critical to save while money is coming in. To add to this stress, saving statistics report many Baby Boomers have outstanding debt; mortgages, and non-mortgages debt. These debts will need payment out of a fixed income, if not eradicated prior to retirement.
About 10,000 Baby Boomers currently reach the average retirement age every day. They account for 28% of the United States population. With an average debt of over $200,000,1 they create a social problem if they cannot figure out how to stop spending and pay off their outstanding debts. It would be possible to suggest this group to be a prime target for their inability to achieve their developmental task of reduced income, and becoming very unhappy individuals. This unhappiness can readily devolve into more self-defeating behaviors, such as over-drinking, over-eating, targeted abuse, etc.
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The newly divorced face major financial challenges. The cost of living as a single person is considerably higher. Twenty percent of women typically fall into poverty. There may be tax issues with big hits from settlements. Pension issues arise, as well as health insurance. Often overlooked is the bill from the divorce attorney.15
The Invisible Generation, those of us who had to hide our entire lives, have mostly retired. The Baby Boomers, of which I calculate to have 28 lesbians retiring every day in the United States, which is 800 per month, 9,600 per year. Lesbians (and all LGBTQIA+) have more challenges than the general population. In general, LGBTQIA+ people are poorer and have fewer financial resources; they have been subjected to hiring and/or salary discrimination; they are twice as likely to live alone; they are less likely to have children; they are more likely to have poor physical and mental health. A large percentage feel isolated. 16 (These reported facts are from 2018 and may have improved to some extent.)
Our LGBTQIA+ family faces additional challenges in meeting the developmental tasks of the Mature Generation. They face a disproportionate risk of devolving into unhappiness. If they were previously involved in relationships multiple times, their chances of retiring alone are greatly increased. Approximately 50% of first marriages, 60% of second marriages and 73% of third marriages end in divorce.9 Their social isolation may inhibit them from being able to establish new “retired” identities. Their decreased income and discrimination may prevent them from obtaining desirable living arrangements. They may not have adequately saved to meet everyday financial requirements. If they did not master the tasks from the earlier, developmental stages, to prepare them for the tasks of Later Maturity, they face an uphill battle in catching up.
It is crucial to the retiree in achieving the developmental tasks of Later Maturity to have social support and acknowledgment. This can be accomplished with involvement in groups: hobby groups, activity groups, religious groups. Many seek part-time employment and volunteer work. It is also emphasized that a support individual be available to significantly contribute in elevating morale and well-being.10
There may be groups with like interests close by. A retiree wishing to develop new interests and relationships can go to www.meetup.com, enter their zip code and search for those with like-minded interests. 17 Word-of-mouth referrals and community events postings can provide opportunities to meet and interact with new people.
An individual can also be sought out, one who is doing well in retirement, and contact can be made. A meet may be initiated, such as lunch or coffee, and advice be requested on how to be successful in retirement. What has this person done? 18
Retirement is not a time for laying back and expecting paradise every time one steps out the door. There are dangers lurking. There is still work to be done. This time the work is not directed or prescribed from the outside. The successful retiree has to figure things out for themselves and can find happiness in their new reality.
Lynn Brooke
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