Life Satisfaction of Retired Individuals

Life meaning and satisfaction can be achieved when one's goals are met or if individuals have the life they intend to have and dreams to fulfill, which might affect them negatively or positively. Most individuals take time to adjust to retirement since they had relationships and lifestyles they built, which they have to lose or adjust. Kane and Kane (2000) define life satisfaction as the expectation and perceptions of outcomes for salient components of life such as social situations, relationships, self-worth, and finances across multiple and broad domains and long-term periods. Life satisfaction, according to Mishra (1992), indicates the older person's happiness with his or her environment, existing conditions, activities, and lifestyle. Financial challenges arise in the case of supporting their families and children while not being financially stable. They mix and visit families, but after vacation, alone, they become depressed and lonely. If no activities are conducted during the day, they might be more bored and depressed than a person who is actively involved. An individual's satisfaction with life in retired individuals is related to gender, age, religiosity, retirement income, health, mobility, marital status, and years in retirement.

Happiness of Retired People

The end of working life may be associated with the loss of a role fundamental to personal identity and social status. This can lead to disengagement from society due to the loss of social support and networks. Social support is one aspect in which many older adults have a vested interest in continuing their involvement in society after reaching retirement age, by remaining productive and maintaining social connections. They seek meaningful post-retirement and productive activities in or outside their former work environment in which to spend their time. The study revealed that very little is done by local government and other related departments, including their former employer, to use their expertise and knowledge to address the current underperformance and work delivery. According to Newsom and Schultz (1996), low reported social support contributes to lower life satisfaction and increases depressive symptoms in older adult populations. The study conducted revealed that retired people do not demonstrate regular physical activities, which are associated with a general feeling of well-being and also reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Methodology

Due to the nature of the objective, a grounded theory, quantitative-qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory study was adopted, with a view to understanding and describing the characteristics of the population in question and establishing the relationship between the variables.

Participants

The sample used was a random selection of three retired teachers from the Department of Education in Free State, who volunteered themselves and are from the ages of 60 years to 90 years. Individuals are between post levels 1 to post level 4. One educator, who is 84 years old, achieved her Diploma in primary school teaching (PTC and Diploma) and is a post level 1 educator, married with one daughter not working, and supporting three grandchildren. The second participant is 76 years old and she obtained a diploma in secondary education (PTC, Diploma, and ACE) as a post level 2 educator, not married, with one daughter and two grandchildren. The third participant is a male, 64 years old, who managed to obtain his PTC, Diploma, and Degree, and has two grandchildren to assist with. The individuals are from rural, semi-urban, and urban areas, who felt comfortable making their own retirement decisions and preferred to trust the state system to act on their behalf. This diversity in the participant group allows for a broader understanding of how life satisfaction and retirement experiences can vary based on different backgrounds and personal circumstances.

References

• Kane, R. L., & Kane, R. A. (2000). Life Satisfaction and Aging: Theory, Research, and Practice. New York: Springer.
• Mishra, R. (1992). The Concept of Life Satisfaction in Older Adults. New Delhi: Sage Publications.
• Newsom, J. T., & Schultz, R. (1996). The Impact of Social Support on the Health and Well-being of Older Adults. Journal of Aging Studies, 10(2), 205-220.