Strengthening Retirement Planning: A Longitudinal Examination of Connectedness to the Aged Future-Self
2024

Strengthening Retirement Planning: A Longitudinal Examination of Connectedness to the Aged Future-Self

Sample size: 401 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Yeung Dannii Y, Lin Gloria, Ho Alvin

Primary Institution: City University of Hong Kong

Hypothesis

This study aims to identify effective strategies to strengthen younger and older workers’ preparation for retirement.

Conclusion

The study found that older workers who engaged in a writing task about their future self reported more preparatory activities for retirement than younger workers, although this effect diminished over time.

Supporting Evidence

  • Participants in the future-self conditions reported more negative emotions after viewing their future-self photo.
  • Older workers in the future-self writing task reported more preparatory activities than younger workers.

Takeaway

The study shows that thinking about your future self can help you plan better for retirement, especially for older workers.

Methodology

Participants were randomly allocated to different conditions involving future-self and current-self photo presentations, followed by a diary study assessing retirement planning.

Participant Demographics

401 Hong Kong Chinese workers, including 170 younger and 231 middle-aged participants.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.2090

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