Adjustment by both parties, along with support and understanding, is necessary to facilitate a smooth transition to life after retirement. Retirement is experienced differently by men and women. Men may experience retirement as a loss of identity, purpose, and meaning in their lives. Men may be uncertain of their identity following retirement, as they are no longer in the role of provider for the family. For some, this can greatly diminish self-esteem and compromise adjustment.
Women experience retirement quite differently.
Those who have worked in the home may become frustrated at the prospect of not being able to retire. Women may view this as unfair and become resentful of their spouse. Also, with husbands spending more time at home, women experience an intruder in their domestic world and an upset in their daily routine. Most couples experience an initial honeymoon phase following retirement, although this is generally short-lived. Couples quickly come to realize that they are together all of the time and the reality of the situation sets in.