| dc.description.abstract | The transition into retirement is a complex process, and for some the decision to retire is not permanent. This study sought to understand the phenomenon of unretirement and analyse the impact of returning to work on the physical and mental well-being of older adults in Aotearoa New Zealand. Unretirement or reverse retirement was conceptualised when a participant had indicated that they were retired and subsequently resumed full-time or part-time employment. Using longitudinal data from the New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement Study (2006-2020), a sample was derived of retired and unretired individuals (N=1504). Bivariate analyses were utilised to estimate the prevalence of unretirement in Aotearoa New Zealand and examine the factors that were predictive of unretirement. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were undertaken to understand the impact of reverse retirement on the physical and mental well-being of older adults. It was found that around thirteen per cent of participants returned to work after retirement. Unretirement was more common for younger participants in better physical health, and less likely for those who owned their own home without a mortgage. Although reverse retirees were healthier, retirement status explained less than one per cent of the variance in physical health outcomes and was not significant when baseline health measures were taken into consideration. These results suggest that unretirement is undertaken by those who have better physical health and less financial resource to depend upon. Unretirement may be a final push to keep up with financial outgoings and continue to accumulate wealth before physical health becomes an impediment to further participation in the workforce. | en |
