Health, Work and Retirement Study

A Massey University lead study in collaboration with
The Health Research Council of New Zealand.

Understanding Retirement

Massey University’s Health, Work and Retirement Study was established to identify the influences on health and wellbeing in later midlife (55 to 70 years) that lay the basis for community participation and health in later life, and ultimately a more independent retirement. It is increasingly important that older people, who are a growing proportion of the population, remain independent and healthy during their retirement.

This study is an ongoing project which over time aims to collect information on the physical and mental health of older workers and retirees, catalogue various work and retirement factors, and record socioeconomic and demographic status as people make the transition from work to retirement. With this information we hope to discover what factors lead to a more healthy, wealthy and independent retirement for all New Zealanders. Voluntary participation in this study is vital to helping us achieve this goal.

About the Study

This Health Research Council of New Zealand funded study intends to track approximately 8,000 New Zealand workers and retirees over the next few years in order to understand their transition from the workforce through their retirement years. The participants in this study will be randomly selected from the New Zealand electoral roll, the only criteria for selection being that they are aged between 55 to 70 years. There are three main aspects to this study.

• Main Questionnaire Survey
  This study will mainly be based around biennial postal surveys (surveys repeated every two years) of 8,000 New Zealand workers and retirees. For those still in employment, the survey will ask a number of questions regarding their work life (e.g., the conditions of their work environment). For those either working or retired the rest of the survey involves questions regarding their general health (e.g., what activities they might regularly engage in), their sense of social support (e.g., whether their friends are supportive), their beliefs about themselves (e.g., being a good problem solver), and their intentions and beliefs about retirement. Lastly, we will also record some demographic information, such as gender, whether they live in a rural or urban area, and what educational or professional qualifications they may have.
  
• Face-to-face Interviews
  As well as our biennial questionnaire survey, we will be conducting a number of face-to-face interviews with people from the lower North Island (from Palmerston North to Wellington, including the Wairarapa from Masterton to the south). These interviews will involve an in-depth analysis of specific topics, such as people’s views and perceptions of current or past paid work, retirement intentions, asset management, family and lifestyle choices, and health care. These interviews will also provide a forum for participants to express their beliefs about the factors they feel influence their work and retirement choices and beliefs.
  
• Te Hoe Nuku Roa Interviews
  Te Hoe Nuku Roa is an existing 25-year longitudinal study of Maori households which is based within Te Pütahi-ä-Toi, the School of Maori Studies, at Massey University. As part of an effort to sample Maori workers and retirees and assess their specific views and perceptions of work and retirement, we will be inviting Te Hoe Nuku Roa participants to take part in the current study by way of their established schedule of interviews.