TRADITIONALLY, retirement is defined "as the end of career and the withdrawal of the worker from the workforce to live a life of leisure, using savings or pension" (Morris, 1976).

Despite this definition, a significant percentage of retirees want or need to continue working after retirement. Contributing factors include ones such as the improvement in health care and therefore the increase in life expectancy and the ability of persons to remain actively engaged for a longer period.

The lay-offs and early retirement of some persons due to factors such as restructuring, redundancies and downsizing also contribute to the number of persons seeking employment at this period of their lives. Additionally, with the high cost of living and inflation many retirees will need to continue working in order to supplement their income. Others will choose to because of a desire to stay active.

Challenges

Preparing for a career after retirement poses challenges for the client and the career counsellor. Careful planning must therefore be done for those entering retirement.

At the beginning, social contact with former employees/co-workers, devoting time to friends and family and the care of the home are viable avenues for satisfying and occupying retirees' time. However, these activities will not satisfy their needs for a long time. Soon, they will lose contact with co-workers and other social activities related to work. They will also lose their sense of identity and purpose. Retirees therefore need to become involved. And for most, it is in a paid job although many do voluntary work.

Finding employment, however, could pose several challenges, including the possibilities of physical health decline and changes in mental functioning. Additionally, people in their mid-life will take on the responsibilities of caring for aging parents, ailing spouses, grandchildren and other relatives (Moen 1998).

Social contact is important to retirees. This pensioner is in a pensive mood at Wednesday's Christmas luncheon hosted by the Kingston Portworkers Superannuation Fund at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston. (Photo: Michael Gordon)

We must admit that these family demands sometimes limit the number of hours a retiree can work and their flexibility to take on jobs that require travel or relocation.

Also in today's economy - not only in the Caribbean but also the rest of the world - when there are many recent graduates of universities and colleges actively seeking employment, the opportunities for employment in formal organisations after retirement are even more challenging. With the availability of a youthful and qualified workforce, retiree's career development might be further challenged by biases which include social attitudes towards aging. Despite the challenges however, many retirees remain actively engaged.

Career preparation and involvement

Preparing for a career after retirement should begin from very early. However, during the retirement transition care should be taken to ensure that the retiree will fit into this new role. The retiree needs to do a self-assessment, comparing skills and abilities with the requirements or demands of the environment and try to optimise satisfaction on the part of the retiree.

Needs and values of the retiree will also play an important role in arriving at the 'right fit'. Doing an assessment may involve using instruments to psychometrically examine the individuals correspondence to work and environment situations.

Some counsellors may use the interview approach as well as gather biographical work environment information to assess the retiree's career needs and make recommendations for career development. Many theorists on work adjustment believe that preparing for work after retirement must take into consideration the individual as well as the environment factors.

Niles and Harris-Bowlsbey (2000) in the book Career Development Interventions For The 21st Century, for example, states that "both the worker and the work environment have needs and requirements respectively that must be satisfied".

After an assessment, the retiree/client will now be able to identify possible areas of interest which will meet the varying needs. There may be the need for retraining or retooling for greater opportunities, there may also be the need for employment which allows them to balance work with family responsibilities, while others may just require employment in order to stay active and maintain social contacts or work so that they may supplement their pension. Finding this balance is very important.

Whatever form of activity the retired person becomes involved in, it must be one that offers satisfaction while meeting his or her needs. Some areas of involvement to meet their needs include voluntary work with church, or other voluntary organisations, part-time employment, consultancy or entrepreneurship.

Some may even become involved in assisting family members in their businesses. Opportunities for part-time employment or consultancy is often obtained at the retiree's previous place of employment. The retiree may also use skills such as networking to obtain employment. Remaining connected is of vital importance after retirement, not only for financial gains but to maintain self-identity, a sense of belonging and contribution to society.

Career Planning for retirement should therefore begin from early, and an assessment of interest, values, needs and skills as they relate to the environment should be done in order to help the retiree to find a place for active involvement. Retirement today comes with a different meaning than yesterday. For many, it is the beginning of another career.

Merrit Henry is student services manager/career counsellor, at the Placement and Career Services, University of the West Indies, Mona.

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