The New Face of Retirement: Older Americans, Civic Engagement, and the Longevity Revolution

In spring 1999 Civic Ventures undertook its first national survey focusing on the attitudes of the next generation of retirees toward continuing to contribute to society. As part of this survey we hoped to learn more about the types of messages that might capture the imagination of future volunteers, and about the types of service opportunities that might prove most compelling for upcoming retirees. The effort was conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates of Washington, D.C., and was funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.

Conducted from May 17 to May 24, 1999, the poll included 803 older Americans age 50 to 75, including 452 retirees and 351 non-retirees. The results were released Sept. 1, 1999 in Washington, D.C. at a briefing featuring Civic Ventures President Marc Freedman and Board Chair Bill Berkeley, pollster Peter D. Hart, and AARP Director of Public Policy John Rother, among others. Virginia E. Hayes Williams, an activist and mother of D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams, also spoke.

The findings of The New Face of Retirement revealed a new vision of retirement in America, as retirees and near-retirees plan to volunteer and perform community service in record numbers. In fact, fully half of older Americans said that volunteering or engaging in community service was very or fairly important to their retirement plans. This new activism crosses virtually all demographic lines; it was expressed by men and women, liberals and conservatives, seniors in every region, people in their 50s and their 70s, those who were healthy and those limited by medical conditions.

• When asked to choose between two different approaches to retirement, 65 percent of respondents (61 percent of retirees and 70 percent of non-retirees) said it is "a time to begin a new chapter" in life by being active and involved, starting new activities, and setting new goals. Just 28 percent (32 percent of retirees and 23 percent of non-retirees) said retirement is "a time to take it easy, take care of yourself, enjoy leisure activities, and take a much deserved rest from work and daily responsibilities."
• Most older Americans said they were enjoying their current stage of life. One in five (19 percent) called it the "best time," 45 percent said it is "good," and 27 percent described it as an "OK time." Just eight percent called it a "bad time" of life.
• One-third of those polled (33 percent) said that "volunteering or being involved in community service" was a "very important" part of their retirement. Another 17 percent said it was "fairly important," and 25 percent said it was "somewhat important." Volunteering and community service rank only behind travel in importance to this group.
• Three in five respondents (59 percent) - including 57 percent of retirees and 62 percent of non-retirees – said they have volunteered or done community service work in the past year.
• Older Americans were most interested in raising money for charities such as churches, schools, and universities (43 percent), helping the elderly (40 percent), and working with children and youth (32 percent).
• Reducing the cost of prescription drugs was the benefit that appealed most to those polled who were somewhat interested in volunteering. Forty-two percent said they would like reduced costs for prescription drugs in exchange for community service work, 31 percent would like a $200-per-month stipend, and 17 percent would like education credits.
• Former President Jimmy Carter was the best role model for retirement, 43 percent of older Americans said. Former General Colin Powell was the role model for 18 percent, and former Senator John Glenn was the role model for 11 percent.

Full copies of the poll are available from Civic Ventures by calling 415-430-0141 or via email: info@civicventures.org