Huzaifah, Tri Rijanto, Rivo Panji Yudha
Global demographic aging challenges traditional assumptions that retirement signifies the end of productive engagement. While psychological factors are theorized to influence post-retirement productivity, empirical evidence from non-Western contexts remains limited, particularly in rapidly aging Southeast Asian nations like Indonesia. This study examines the psychological determinants of post-retirement productivity among Indonesian retirees using an explanatory sequential mixed methods design, investigating how psychological well-being, meaning in life, self-efficacy, and retirement adjustment predict post-retirement productive engagement. The quantitative phase surveyed 387 Indonesian retirees (Mean age = 63.8 years; 60.5% male) using validated instruments measuring psychological constructs and productivity domains. Structural equation modeling tested hypothesized relationships while controlling for demographic variables. The qualitative phase conducted 26 in-depth interviews with purposefully selected participants representing diverse psychological profiles, analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Psychological factors collectively explained 58.3% of productivity variance. Retirement adjustment emerged as the strongest direct predictor (β = .31, p < .001), followed by self-efficacy (β = .24, p < .001), psychological well-being (β = .21, p < .001), and meaning in life (β = .14, p < .05). Latent profile analysis identified four distinct psychological configurations—Thriving, Searching, Struggling, and Resilient—demonstrating multiple pathways to productive aging. Qualitative themes revealed identity reconstruction as foundational process, with cultural-religious frameworks (Islamic ibadah, Javanese ngalap berkah) providing culturally specific meaning sources. Structural barriers including ageism, gender norms, and limited volunteer infrastructure constrained productivity independently of psychological resources. Temporal dynamics revealed non-linear trajectories requiring 3-5 years for successful adjustment. Retirement represents neither inevitable decline nor automatic renewal but a psychologically contingent transition. Findings suggest interventions should target identity reconstruction, leverage cultural meaning frameworks, develop domain-specific efficacy, and address structural barriers. Indonesia's rapid demographic aging necessitates evidence-based policies maximizing retirees' psychological capital and productive potential. Copyright (c) 2026 The Authors. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
State University of Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia
