The impact of time structure and time usage on willingness to retire and accept bridge employment

Abstract

This study examined the relationships between older workers’ time usage and their retirement anxiety. Specifically, we proposed that individuals’ current time structure and current quality of work time would be positively associated with retirement anxiety. In turn, individuals’ level of retirement anxiety was postulated to be positively associated with intended retirement age and willingness to accept bridge employment, but negatively associated with expected retirement satisfaction. Data were collected via questionnaire surveys from 204 workers aged 40 years and above and were analysed with structural equation modelling. As predicted, retirement anxiety was found to be positively related to intended retirement age and negatively associated with expected retirement satisfaction. However, the hypothesized relationships between retirement anxiety, current time usage and willingness to accept bridge employment were not supported. Directions for future research and implications for practice are discussed.

Keywords:

• Retirement anxiety
• bridge employment
• time structure
• older workers
• Singapore