Retirement is a period of adjustment that extends beyond the end of working life. It involves changes in daily routines, how we use our time, social relationships and, in some cases, one’s sense of identity. This is one of the main conclusions of the JÚBILO Project, a joint initiative of the Salud y Persona Foundation and UIC, the findings of which were presented on 17 September at Palau Macaya in Barcelona.

The study, led by Dr Iris Crespo, a researcher and lecturer in the Department of Psychology, analyses the experiences of people before and after retirement and presents 40 expert-backed recommendations for navigating this transition.

Companies, a key player

The project included 40 in-depth interviews with people aged 55 to 75 who were approaching retirement or had recently retired. According to the researcher, “the findings show that, in addition to greater freedom and autonomy, retirement can generate feelings of emptiness and disorientation, particularly during the early stages.”

Based on the interviews, a set of recommendations was developed and subsequently evaluated by 40 experts from fields including business and finance, health and academia and research. Among the seven recommendations intended for organisations, 97.7% of the experts agreed on the importance of supporting a gradual transition to retirement. Other recommendations that received high levels of expert consensus included integrating retirement planning into career policies, creating spaces for support and guidance, promoting comprehensive wellbeing programmes and encouraging intergenerational mentoring.

Preparation for a new stage in life

The study also highlights the importance of preparing for retirement on an individual level, with particular emphasis on strengthening social relationships and support networks, as well as maintaining good health through preventive care.

Among those who have already retired, the study stresses the value of seeking emotional support when needed, exercising regularly and keeping in touch with friends and family.

The study findings were presented as part of the “JÚBILO: Wellbeing and the Transition to Retirement” event, which explored retirement from a range of perspectives. The conference also featured the round-table discussion “Ageing in the Workplace”, moderated by Javier Savin, psychologist and clinical director at the Salud y Persona Foundation, and “Life Experience”, a conversation between Dr Iris Crespo and Federico Gómez Saez, a retired physician and healthcare adviser to the police.