Makna Kerja Pascapensiun : Aktivitas dan Preferensi Usia Pensiun Lansia
Jamalludin, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, S.Sos., M.Si.; Dr. Agus Joko Pitoyo, M.A.
2026 | Disertasi | S3 Kependudukan
This study aims to (1) explore the dimensions of the meaning of work among retired older adults; (2) examine the relationship between the meaning of work and retirement age preferences; (3) analyze the association between the meaning of work and the sustainability of post-retirement employment; and (4) examine the relationship between the meaning of work and post-retirement activity patterns. The study focuses on retirees who previously worked in the formal sector, including civil servants, military and police personnel, private-sector employees, and state-owned enterprise employees. The research takes place in Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
The study adopts a mixed-methods design using a sequential explanatory approach (quan–qual). The researcher conducted a quantitative survey between December 2024 and August 2025. The unit of analysis comprises retired older adults aged 53 years and above who do not experience cognitive impairment or severe health conditions. Quantitative analysis includes descriptive and inferential statistics using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), probit models, survival analysis, and multivariate probit models. The researcher checked response consistency before data entry in Microsoft Excel and conducted statistical analysis using STATA and R.
The study applies CFA to confirm the validity and reliability of the meaning-of-work construct and summarizes the results into a Meaning of Work Index as the main independent variable. The researcher uses probit models to test the relationship between the meaning of work and retirement age preferences, survival analysis to examine post-retirement employment sustainability, and multivariate probit models to assess associations between the meaning of work and post-retirement activity patterns.
The researcher further explores key quantitative findings through in-depth interviews in the qualitative phase. The analysis applies thematic coding and triangulates interview data with questionnaire responses from the quantitative phase.
The findings identify a distinct spiritual dimension in the meaning of work among older adults. Retirees interpret work not only as a means of meeting material needs but also as an expression of devotion to God. The meaning of work relates to retirement age preferences: social and generative meanings increase the likelihood of preferring retirement ages aligned with statutory regulations, while spiritual meaning shortens preferred retirement age. Survival analysis shows that the probability of continued employment declines with years since retirement and falls below 0.50 after 15 years. Social meaning extends labor market participation, whereas spiritual meaning accelerates full retirement. After retirement, older adults shift from economic activities to social, private, and domestic activities, forming three segments: solitary, communitarian, and domestic-family oriented. Older adults with a strong spiritual meaning of work tend to belong to the communitarian segment and remain socially active.
Kata Kunci : makna kerja, usia pensiun, keberlanjutan kerja, aktivitas pasca-pensiun