When I'm 64' Public Policy Influences on Wellbeing in Retirement

Abstract

Findings from a qualitative study of recently retired non-professional men in the southern metropolitan area of Adelaide, South Australia, highlighted policies that contributed to the men's feelings of increased autonomy and acceptance of retirement as a life stage; factors they related strongly to their experience of wellbeing in retirement. The policies aimed for full employment, high levels of home ownership, financial security in retirement, centralised wage fixing, high minimum wages and optional retirement age. However, the discourse of economic rationalism of Australian governments since the late 1980s appears to be placing many of these policies in jeopardy. Health workers are in a prime position to review, report and act on the effects on the health of citizens of such major policy changes. This article challenges them to do so in collaboration with the communities with whom they work.