Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2020 Sep;33(5):905-916.
doi: 10.1111/jar.12712. Epub 2020 Feb 18.

Australians with intellectual disability share their experiences of retirement from mainstream employment

Michelle Brotherton  1 , Roger J Stancliffe  1 , Nathan J Wilson  2 , Kate O'Loughlin  3
Affiliations

Australians with intellectual disability share their experiences of retirement from mainstream employment

Michelle Brotherton et al. J Appl Res Intellect Disabil. 2020 Sep.

Abstract

Background: As part of a larger study exploring the transition to retirement for people with intellectual disability from a working life in mainstream employment, this paper reports on retirement from the perspective of those who have already retired.

Method: Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with five Australian retirees with intellectual disability. Data were analysed using grounded theory methodology. Employment service records provided background information on participants' employment and supports.

Results: Retirement occurred as the solution to ongoing problems primarily related to health. Retirement decisions were made in conjunction with family and support staff, with participants reporting varying levels of self-determination in the process, and mixed feelings about their retirement. None of the participants were participating in mainstream community groups in retirement.

Conclusions: There is a need for retirement preparation for this emerging population to support self-determination in retirement-related decisions including individualized training to facilitate independent participation in mainstream social activities in retirement.

Keywords: intellectual disability; mainstream employment; retirement; social inclusion.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

REFERENCES

    1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (2016). Retirement and retirement intentions, Australia, July 2014 to June 2015 Cat. 6238.0.
    1. Australian Fair Work Commission (2013). Annual wage review 2012-2013 (C2013/1). Retrieved from http://www.fwc.gov.au/awards-agreements/minimum-wages-conditions/annual-...
    1. Balandin, S., Llewellyn, G., Dew, A., Ballin, L., & Schneider, J. (2006). Older disabled workers' perceptions of volunteering. Disability & Society, 21(7), 677-692. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687590600995139
    1. Barnes, H., & Parry, J. (2004). Renegotiating identity and relationships: Men and women's adjustments to retirement. Ageing & Society, 24, 213-233. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x0300148x
    1. Barrett, G., & Brzozowski, M. (2010). Involuntary retirement and the resolution of the retirement-consumption Puzzle: Evidence from Australia. University of Sydney, Department of Economics.

LinkOut - more resources