Living and working in retirement, a new paradigm in the US exploring retirees attitudes and beliefs toward working

This paper investigates the problem that an increasing number of people in the United States are financially unprepared for retirement, leading to a rise in post-retirement employment. The purpose of the study was to explore attitudes and beliefs toward continued or actual employment behaviors among a set of retirees who have chosen to continue working after reaching retirement age. The grounded theory study design was applied in the efforts to explain, at a broad conceptual level, the reasons older workers have chosen to continue working after reaching retirement age. Data gathered from 25 workers age 65 and older were analyzed. The analysis revealed five work motivators, five inhibitors of saving, six methods of saving, four lifestyle accommodations, and four work attitudes. Implications of the research were presented. The results suggest the new retirement funding structures have not been favorable to saving. Suggestions for a more positive retirement outlook are offered.