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Retirement

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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.

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