Integrating career, health, and finance in a holistic retirement planning intervention for Australian older workers

Abstract

Abstract Inadequate retirement planning has negative consequences for individuals and society. Interventions to improve more informed planning often focus primarily on financial aspects, with the timing of workplace exit and health considerations ignored leaving retirees at risk of poor adjustment. A six-stage intervention was developed consisting of three online modules (career, health, and finance) combined with individual consultations that aimed to assist older workers (N = 829, Mage = 57.09, female = 68%) to make more considered decisions about retirement. A randomized control study using four groups (modules only, modules-plus-consultations [holistic], finance only, and a control) was employed. Holistic group participants completed three online modules, completed a general health check, and spoke to a career consultant, as well as a financial consultant. Compared with the control group, mixed-effects regressions showed improved intervention outcomes across all three experimental groups. Of these, the holistic group had the largest number of significant outcomes including increased workplace exit perceptions, financial decision-making, and career and finance goal processes. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of integrating online modules with retirement consultations to optimize retirement decision-making.