Retirement
Employment
Retirement
As the 1979 Youth cohort approached their fifties, questions were added about retirement preparation and expectations, starting with the 2006 survey year.
Table 1 shows the retirement preparation/expectation variables and the survey years they have been asked. Variable question names begin with the "RETIRE_EXP" prefix. Information on retirement income can be found in the Pension Benefits & Pension Plans section of this Users Guide.
Table 1. Retirement Preparation & Expectation Questions asked of NLSY79 Respondents: 2006-2016
| Question | Survey Year | |||||
| 20061 |
2008 |
2010 |
2012 | 2014 |
2016 | |
| What is the probability that you will not be working for pay at age 67? age 65? age 62? | * | * | * | * | ||
| How would you define retirement for yourself? ("Select All" categories include stop work, receive pension, work for fun, etc.) | * | * | * | * | * | |
| Approximately at what age do you think you'll retire? | * | * | * | * | * | |
| Do you expect to work for pay..or at a family business for pay/profit in the future? | * | * | * | * | ||
| ...Ever calculated how much retirement income you would need at retirement? | * | * | * | * | * | |
| ...Ever consulted a financial planner about how to plan your finances after retirement? | * | * | * | * | * | |
| ...Ever read any magazines or books on retirement spending? | * | * | * | * | * | |
| ...Ever used a computer program to help you plan your retirement? | * | * | * | * | * | |
| ...Ever attended any meetings on retirement or retirement planning? | * | * | * | * | * | |
| Were any of the meetings organized by your (or your spouse's/partner's) employer? | * | * | * | * | * | |
| Did you (or your spouse's/partner's) attend the meetings on a voluntary basis or was attendance required? | * | * | * | * | * | |
| What do you think the chances are... that you will be working full-time after you reach age 62? (age 65?) | * | * | ||||
| ...your health will limit your work activity during the next 10 years? | * | * | ||||
| ...you (and spouse/partner) will leave inheritances totaling $10,000 or more? $100,00 or more? | * | * | ||||
| ...you will live to be 75 or more? 85 or more? | * | * | ||||
| ...you will ever have to move to a nursing home? | * | * | ||||
1 Only a random sample of 991 respondents were asked retirement expectations questions in 2006.
| Survey Instruments and Documentation | Questions about retirement expectations can be found in the following sections: Retirement Expectations Part I (2006), Retirement Expectations Part II (2006), and Retirement Expectations (2008-2016). |
| Areas of Interest | Retirement Expectations variables are found in the "Retirement" area of interest. |