The second question dealt with whether the retirement transition affects the marital relationship. Some of the issues studied were the influence of retirement on couples division of housework, on conflict management, and on marital happiness. Szinovacz and her colleagues found that marital issues can impact retirement plans, and these influences are different for men and women. Men are still considered the main provider even when their wives work, she said. This gender role ideology influences couples retirement decisions.
Women adjust their retirement plans to their husbands situation.
If he is already retired or if he opposes the wife s employment, the wife is more likely to retire. Husbands are less likely to retire if they fear that retirement may undermine their status in the marriage. Husbands retirement decisions are also influenced by their wives retirement benefits and by their wives illness. Husbands delay their retirement until their wives reach benefit eligibility. Husbands whose wives are sick are more likely to retire to take care of them, while wives tend to continue working while caring for a spouse.