New research finds Boomers demanding a new set of
values as they near retirement
CHICAGO, IL, June 1, 2004 -- It’s not what you have for
retirement that matters, but how you reinvent yourself so you retire
with vigor, finds new research reported in the new retirement planning
book, "Boomers: Visions of the New Retirement," by a 30-something
university dean and retirement transition expert.
"Baby Boomers, who will live another 20 or more years after
retirement, are demanding a full and rewarding second life that will be
much different than the one they left behind," said Dr. Maria Malayter,
PhD., who wrote "Boomers: Visions of the New Retirement," published this
spring by iUniverse. "This new vision of retirement is going to force
major changes to the services human resources professionals offer to
their retiring employees."
An assistant dean for the College of Arts and Sciences at
National-Louis University, Chicago, and previously a professor there in
Applied Behavior Science, Dr. Malayter – Doc Maria, as she’s know to her
students and colleagues – has studied and tracked retiree and retirement
trends since 1993.
"Older workers are bombarded with retirement advice about money,
health and relocation issues, yet somehow we have forgotten that in
retirement, the need for relationships, the thirst for learning and the
desire for meaning become major challenges that retirees struggle to
fulfill," said Doc Maria, who, as transitions instructor at Great Lakes
Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, IL, conducted considerable research
with men and women transitioning out of the workforce.
Doc Maria said she recognizes that basic human needs such as housing,
income and good health are the foundation of any life. "But my research
with retirees and Boomers now exiting the workforce shows they face
three important challenges to a fulfilling second life that no research
or advice has supported until now."
Based on her studies of retirement trends and retirees, Doc Maria
said those retirees who’ve found retirement richly rewarding had to
first reinvent themselves for this new cycle of their life. Those
challenges are, she said:
The deep desire and continued need for relationships and
companionship: Retirement is a period of soul-searching and
transformation. Companions help us find the way and help us
define our new identity outside of work. This desire often
extends beyond what spouse or life partners can offer. Many
Boomer retirees find they need to forge new relationships and
develop new companions through hobby-related activities,
volunteer work or social activities. Some return to part-time
jobs or second careers to fulfill this need.
"Such social supports help retirees keep track of each
other’s lives, which provides another reason to live and stay
healthy so they can continue to contribute," Doc Maria said.
A continued yearning to learn: To validate this finding,
one need only look at the number of older Americans and retirees
attending college or continuing education programs. In fact, Doc
Maria notes in "Boomers: Visions of the New Retirement," more
than 300 U.S. colleges – including Northwestern University in
Evanston, IL, have established "learning in retirement" programs
to meet older adults’ need to be intellectually challenged.
Spiritual and holistic well-being: To find meaning in
retirement, retirees will return to faith-based endeavors or
pursue personal spiritual matters to address well-being issues.
Many find such endeavors help to replace the emptiness that
comes with retirement after the prestige, position and power of
career no longer give purpose.
"The time spent in retirement is to make up for perceived
missed opportunities due to work commitments," Doc Maria said.
"Embracing spiritual matters helps many experience self change
and self happiness as they enter retirement."
"Boomers: Visions of the New Retirement" has special emphasis for
human resources professionals who will need to better understand how to
deliver the type of retirement planning services retiring Baby Boomers
will demand.
"The Baby Boomer generation is approaching retirement age, and
society will be surprised if preparation is not considered," Doc Maria
said.
"Boomers: Visions of the New Retirement" is available online at
iUniverse.com or linking through www.docmaria.com for $13.95.
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