A study to identify the factors which mediate in Newfoundland educators' decision to retire and in the quality of their retirement experience

Gamba, Sandy M. C. (1994) A study to identify the factors which mediate in Newfoundland educators' decision to retire and in the quality of their retirement experience. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF (Migrated (PDF/A Conversion) from original format: (application/pdf)) - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (23MB) [English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. (Original Version)

Abstract

This report presents the results of a study of 155 educators who have retired early from Newfoundland's school system since 1989. A questionnaire was prepared and pretested for the purpose of the study. The survey was designed to elicit as much information as possible about the pre-retirement plans and decisions, as well as the post-retirement experiences of the early retired educators. It was mailed to all those educators who had taken the "30-and-out" pension option between 1987 and 1992; a pension option which was offered by the Newfoundland Teachers' Association in conjunction with the Department of Finance, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. The respondents' data were coded and descriptive statistical analyses were conducted. An analysis of variance was performed to identify associations between variables. -- Results demonstrate that, for the majority of respondents, retirement has formed a new period of life, filled by new projects including paid work, volunteer work and a wide variety of hobbies and interests. The majority reported that they were financially secure, in good physical health, and had adjusted both socially and psychologically to retired life. Most had looked forward to retirement and reported that their overall experience of retirement matched or exceeded their prior expectations. These retirees generally thought they had initiated their own retirement and, in that respect, they retired voluntarily. A small portion of retirees', however, reported that their experiences of retirement were less satisfying than they anticipated and some educators had found it very difficult to adjust. The factors of personal autonomy and choice were found to have a significant positive influence on educators' satisfaction in retirement. -- The implications of these findings for pre-retirement planning programmes are discussed. Recommendations are proposed for further study in the area of educators' retirement from the education system.

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