Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Retirement

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Handbook of Positive Psychology in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Part of the book series: Springer Series on Child and Family Studies ((SSCFS))

Abstract

The need to plan for and transition to retirement is now a reality for people with intellectual disability, who are entering later life and have been employed. Retirement from paid work has taken on a new meaning across all societies in the context of population aging and increased life expectancy. Much retirement research in the general community focuses on financial planning; however, attention has turned to the psychosocial dimensions of retirement as a key milestone in the life course and one that may impact on an individual’s physical health and psychological well-being as they leave behind the social and economic structure of employment. This chapter examines the situation of people with intellectual disability and what is needed to support them as they plan for, transition to, and live in retirement. The chapter first draws on mainstream retirement literature before providing an overview of recent research in intellectual disability, mostly from Australia. To provide a focus on research to practice, the chapter concludes with a description of an intervention, Transition to Retirement. This program promotes a gradual transition to an active, socially inclusive retirement lifestyle for older adults with intellectual disability. Retirement by people with intellectual disability is well suited to future positive psychology research, but little such investigation has occurred to date.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 349.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 449.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 449.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Adams, G. A., & Rau, B. L. (2011). Putting off tomorrow to do what you want today: Planning for retirement. American Psychologist, 66(3), 180–192. doi:10.1037/a0022131

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Asebedo, S. D., & Seay, M. C. (2014). Positive psychological attributes and retirement satisfaction. Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning, 25(2), 161–173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2013). Retirement and retirement intentions, Australia July 2012–June 2013. Catalogue No. 6238.0. Retrieved from http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/ProductsbyCatalogue/D85E2A6345A76BF5CA25710C007481A0?OpenDocument

  • Australian Government, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. (2014). Evaluation of disability employment services 2010–2013 final report. Retrieved from https://www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/05_2014/des_evaluation_report.pdf

  • Australian Government, Department of Human Services. (2016). Age pension. Retrieved from https://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/age-pension

  • Australian Government, Department of Social Services. (2015). Operational guidelines, disability employment assistance. Version 8.0, July 2015. Canberra: Department of Social Services. Available online at https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/disability-and-carers/programmes-services/for-service-providers/disability-employment-assistance/operational-guidelines-disability-employment-assistance

  • Balandin, S., Llewellyn, G., Dew, A., Ballin, L., & Schneider, J. (2006). Older disabled workers’ perceptions of volunteering. Disability and Society, 21, 677–692. doi:10.1080/09687590600995139

  • Balandin, S., Llewellyn, G., Dew, A., & Ballin, L. (2006b). ‘We couldn’t function without volunteers’: Volunteering with a disability, the perspectives of not-for-profit agencies. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 29, 131–136. doi:10.1097/01.mrr.0000191850.95692.0c

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bigby, C., Wilson, N. J., Balandin, S., & Stancliffe, R. J. (2011). Disconnected expectations: Staff, family, and supported employee perspectives about retirement. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 36, 167–174. doi:10.3109/13668250.2011.598852

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bigby, C., Wilson, N. J., Stancliffe, R. J., Balandin, S., Craig, D., & Gambin, N. (2014). An effective program design to support older workers with intellectual disability to participate individually in community groups. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 11(2), 117–127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bittles, A. H., Petterson, B. A., Sullivan, S. G., Hussain, R., Glasson, E. J., & Montgomery, P. D. (2002). The influence of intellectual disability on life expectancy. The Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 57, M470–M472.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brotherton, M., Stancliffe, R. J., Wilson, N. J., & O’Loughlin, K. (2016a). Supporting workers with intellectual disability in mainstream employment to transition to socially-inclusive retirement. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 41(1), 75–80. doi:10.3109/13668250.2015.1078878

  • Brotherton, M., Stancliffe, R. J., Wilson, N. J., & O’Loughlin, K. (2016b). You can’t retire at 50 can you? Workers with intellectual disability in mainstream employment discuss retirement. Unpublished manuscript, University of Sydney.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butterworth, J., Winsor, J., Smith, F. A., Migliore, A., Domin, D, Ciulla Timmons, J. & Hall, A.C. (2015). StateData: The national report on employment services and outcomes. Boston, MA: University of Massachusetts Boston, Institute for Community Inclusion. Community Inclusion. Available online at http://www.statedata.info/sites/statedata.info/files/files/state_data_book_2015.pdf

  • Buys, L., Boulton-Lewis, G., Tedman-Jones, J., Edwards, H., Knox, M., & Bigby, C. (2008). Issues of active ageing: Perceptions of older people with lifelong intellectual disability. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 27(2), 67–71. doi:10.1111/j.1741-6612.2008.00287.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carter, E. W., Austin, D., & Trainor, A. A. (2012). Predictors of postschool employment outcomes for young adults with severe disabilities. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 23(1), 50–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chomik, R., & Piggott, J. (2012). Pensions, ageing and retirement in Australia: Long-term projections and policies. Australian Economic Review, 45, 350–361. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8462.2012.00696.x

  • Cummins, R. A. (2014). Homeostasis. In A. C. Michalos (Ed.), Encyclopedia of quality of life and well-being research (pp. 2901–2904). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer. Retrieved from http://springerreference.com/docs/html/chapterdbid/412582.html

  • Dannefer, D., & Settersten, R. (2010). The study of the life course: Implications for social gerontology. In D. Dannefer & C. Phillipson (Eds.), The SAGE handbook of social gerontology (pp. 4–21). London: SAGE Publications Ltd.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Van De Preter, H., Looy, D., & Mortelmans, D. (2013). Individual and institutional push and pull factors as predictors of retirement timing in Europe: A multilevel analysis. Journal of Aging Studies, 27(4), 299–307.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • de Vaus, D., Wells, Y., Kendig, H., & Quine, S. (2007). Does gradual retirement have better outcomes than abrupt retirement? Results from an Australian panel study. Ageing and Society, 27(5), 667–683.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Department of Employment. (2015). DES outcome rates by disability type. Retrieved from https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=!ACi4X-DKwKRV6XQ&id=7FA0F8F824EC7D73!129&cid=7FA0F8F824EC7D73

  • Department of Social Services. (2014). Guide to social security law (version 1.207): 3.6.2.50 Assessment of people with intellectual impairments for DSP. Retrieved from http://guides.dss.gov.au/guide-social-security-law/3/6/2/50

  • Ebbinghaus, B. (2006). Reforming early retirement in Europe, Japan and the USA. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Farris, B., & Stancliffe, R. J. (2001). The co-worker training model: Outcomes of an open employment pilot project. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 26, 143–159. doi:10.1080/13668250020054459

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fesko, S. L., Hall, A. C., Quinlan, J., & Jockell, C. (2012). Active aging for individuals with intellectual disability: Meaningful community participation through employment, retirement, service, and volunteerism. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 117(6), 497–508. doi:10.1352/1944-7558-117-6.497

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Forrester-Jones, R., Jones, S., Heason, S., & Di’Terlizzi, M. (2004). Supported employment: A route to social networks. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 17(3), 199–208. doi:10.1111/j.1468-3148.2004.00199.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Galinovic, M. (2014, 15/10/14). Job support’s push to get 600 people into jobs worked well for everyone. St George and Sutherland Shire Leader. Retrieved from http://www.theleader.com.au/story/2621113/

  • Griffin, C., Hammis, D., Geary, T., & Sullivan, M. (2008). Customized employment: Where we are; where we’re headed. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 28, 135–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hahn, J. E., Fox, S., & Janicki, M. P. (2015). Aging among older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities: Setting national goals to address transitions in health, retirement, and late-life. Inclusion, 3(4), 250–259. doi:10.1352/2326-6988-3.4.250

    Google Scholar 

  • H.R.647—113th Congress. (2013–2014). ABLE Act of 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kendig, H. (2017). Directions and choices on ageing for the future. In K. O’Loughlin, C. Browning & H. Kendig (Eds.), Ageing in Australia: Challenges and opportunities. New York: Springer (Chapter 15).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kendig, H., Loh, V., O’Loughlin, K., Byles, J., & Nazroo, J. (2015). Pathways to well-being in later life: Socioeconomic and health determinants across the life course of Australian baby boomers. Journal of Population Ageing. doi:10.1007/s12062-015-9132-0

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, J., & Moen, P. (2002). Retirement transitions, gender, and psychological well-being: A life-course, ecological model. Journal of Gerontology, 57B(3), 212–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jahoda, A., Kemp, J., Riddell, S., & Banks, P. (2008). Feelings about work: A review of the socio-emotional impact of supported employment on people with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 21(1), 1–18. doi:10.1111/j.1468-3148.2007.00365.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kröger, T., & Yeandle, S. (Eds.). (2013). Combining paid work and family care: Policies and experiences in international perspective. Bristol: Policy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawrence, S. & Roush, S. E. (2008). Examining pre-retirement and related services offered to service-users with an intellectual disability in Ireland. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 12(3) 239–252. doi:10.1177/1744629508096146

  • Luecking, D. M., & Luecking, R. G. (2015). Translating research into a seamless transition model. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 38(1), 4–13. doi:10.1177/2165143413508978

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Majeed, T., Forder, P., & Byles, J. (2014). Employment status and chronic diseases: A cross-sectional study among 60–64 year-old men and women. The International Journal of Aging and Society, 3(3), 33–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mandal, B., & Roe, B. (2008). Job loss, retirement and the mental health of older Americans. Journal of Mental Health Policy and Economics, 11(4), 167–176.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marmot, M. (2005). Social determinants of health inequalities. The Lancet., 365, 1099–1104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDermott, S., & Edwards, R. (2012). Enabling self-determination for older workers with intellectual disabilities in supported employment in Australia. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 25, 423–432. doi:10.1111/j.1468-3148.2012.00683.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McDermott, S., Edwards, R., Abelló, D., & Katz, I. (2009). Ageing and Australian disability enterprises: Final report (Occasional Paper No. 27). Canberra: Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community services and Indigenous Affairs. Available from https://www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/05_2012/op27.pdf

  • Noone, J., O’Loughlin, K., & Kendig, H. (2013). Australian baby boomers retiring ‘early’: Understanding the benefits of retirement preparation for involuntary and voluntary retirees. Journal of Aging Studies, 27, 207–217.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Noone, J. H., Stephens, C. V., & Alpass, F. M. (2009). Preretirement planning and well-being in later life: A prospective study. Research on Aging, 31(3), 295–317.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Noone, J. H., Stephens, C. V., & Alpass, F. M. (2010). Do men and women still differ in their retirement planning? Testing a theoretical model of gendered pathways to retirement preparation. Research on Aging, 32(6), 715–738.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nord, D., Luecking, R., Mank, D., Kiernan, W., & Wray, C. (2013). The state of the science of employment and economic self-sufficiency for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 51(5), 376–384. doi:10.1352/1934-9556-51.5.376

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • OECD. (2013). Pensions at a glance 2013: OECD and G20 indicators. OECD Publishing. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/pension_glance-2013-10-en

  • O’Loughlin, K., Humpel, N., & H. Kendig, H. (2010). Impact of the global financial crisis on employed Australian baby boomers: A national survey. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 29(2), 88–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Loughlin, K., & Kendig, H. (2017). Attitudes to ageing. In K. O’Loughlin, C. Browning & H. Kendig (Eds.), Ageing in Australia: Challenges and opportunities. New York: Springer (Chapter 3).

    Google Scholar 

  • Patja, K., Iivanainen, M., Vesala, H., Osanen, H., & Ruoppila, I. (2000). Life expectancy of people with intellectual disability: A 35-year follow-up study. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 44(5), 591–599.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Raymo, J. M., Warren, J. R., Sweeney, M. M., Hauser, R. M., & Ho, J. H. (2011). Precarious employment, bad jobs, labor unions, and early retirement. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 66(2), 249.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rowe, J. W., & Kahn, R. L. (2015). Successful aging 2.0: Conceptual expansions for the 21st century. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 70(4), 593–596. doi:10.1093/geronb/gbv025

  • Seligman, M. E. (2012). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. New York: Simon and Schuster.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shogren, K. A., Wehmeyer, M. L., Pressgrove, C. L., & Lopez, S. J. (2006). The application of positive psychology and self-determination to research in intellectual disability: A content analysis of 30 years of literature. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 31, 338–345. doi:10.1177/154079690603100408

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stancliffe, R. J., Bigby, C., Balandin, S., Wilson, N. J., & Craig, D. (2015). Transition to retirement and participation in mainstream community groups using active mentoring: A feasibility and outcomes evaluation with a matched comparison group. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 59(8), 703–718. doi:10.1111/jir.12174

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stancliffe, R. J., Jones, E., Mansell, J., & Lowe, K. (2008). Active support: A critical review and commentary. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 33, 196–214. doi:10.1080/13668250802315397

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stancliffe, R. J., Wilson, N., Bigby, C., Gambin, N., Balandin, S. & Craig, D. (2013a). Self-determination and transition to retirement. National Gateway to Self-Determination, April 2013 issue 5, pp. 14–17. Available online at http://www.aucd.org/docs/publications/nti_selfd_issues/issue5_sm.pdf

  • Stancliffe, R. J., Wilson, N. J., Gambin, N., Bigby, C., & Balandin, S. (2013b). Transition to retirement: A guide to inclusive practice. Sydney: Sydney University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suto, W. M. I., Clare, I. C. H., Holland, A. J., & Watson, P. C. (2005). Capacity to make financial decisions among people with mild intellectual disabilities. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 49(3), 199–209.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tuckerman, P., (2015) Jobsupport submission re the National Disability Employment Framework issues paper. Retrieved from https://engage.dss.gov.au/def_consultation-submissions/143668107

  • van Solinge, H., & Henken, K. (2008). Adjustment to and satisfaction with retirement: Two of a kind? Psychology and Aging, 23(2), 422–434.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wehman, P., Brooke, V., Brooke, A. M., Ham, W., Schall, C., McDonough, J., …, Avellone, L. (2016). Employment for adults with autism spectrum disorders: A retrospective review of a customized employment approach. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 53–54, 61–72. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2016.01.015

  • Wilson, N. J., Stancliffe, R. J., Bigby, C., Balandin, S., & Craig, D. (2010). The potential for active mentoring to support the transition into retirement for older adults with a lifelong disability. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 35(3), 211–214. doi:10.3109/13668250.2010.481784

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Windsor, T.D., Curtis, R.G., & Luszcz, M.A. (2015). Sense of purpose as a psychological resource for aging well. Developmental Psychology, 51(7), 975–986.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wong, J., & Earl, J. K. (2009). Towards an integrated model of individual, psychosocial, and organizational predictors of retirement adjustment. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 75, 1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization. (2016). Global Health observatory data repository: Life expectancy—Data by country (Data table). Retrieved from http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.688?lang=en

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney, Cumberland Campus, Lidcombe, 2141, NSW, Australia

    Roger J. Stancliffe & Michelle Brotherton

  2. Ageing, Work and Health Research Unit, University of Sydney, Cumberland Campus, Lidcombe, 2141, NSW, Australia

    Kate O’Loughlin

  3. School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Richmond, New South Wales, Australia

    Nathan Wilson

Authors
  1. Roger J. Stancliffe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Michelle Brotherton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kate O’Loughlin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Nathan Wilson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Roger J. Stancliffe .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Special Education, Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA

    Karrie A. Shogren

  2. Department of Special Education, Beach Center on Disability, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA

    Michael L. Wehmeyer

  3. Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA

    Nirbhay N. Singh

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Stancliffe, R.J., Brotherton, M., O’Loughlin, K., Wilson, N. (2017). Retirement. In: Shogren, K., Wehmeyer, M., Singh, N. (eds) Handbook of Positive Psychology in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Springer Series on Child and Family Studies. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59066-0_23

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation