Spousal Preferences for Joint Retirement: Evidence From a Multiactor Survey Among Older Dual-Earner Couples

The general assumption in past research on coupled retirement is that men and women prefer joint retirement. The current study tests this assumption and hypothesizes that preferences to retire jointly are associated with (a) the work and relationship attachment of both members of the couple, and (b) the respective spouse’s preferences. The results show that the majority of dual-earner couples have no preference for joint retirement. Male and female spouses with either weak work attachment or strong relationship attachment are more likely to prefer to retire jointly. Moreover, spouses strongly influence each other’s preferences.