Retirement Resources Inventory: Construction, factor structure and psychometric properties

The scientific investigation of the relationship between resources and retirement well-being is impeded by the lack of proper measurement of resources. This study reports on the development of an inventory that assesses resources relevant to retirement well-being. The 35-item Retirement Resources Inventory (RRI) is a self-report measure consisting of three factors. The RRI was extensively evaluated in a sample of 267 Australian retirees aged 50 years or above. In general, the three subscales of the RRI were shown to possess good internal consistency (0.81–0.89) and test–retest reliability (0.83–0.88) within a one-month interval. Retirement resources, as assessed by the RRI, significantly accounted for additional variance in both retirement satisfaction (16%) and retirement adjustment (22%) above and beyond that explained by demographic variables. More importantly, results from cross-lagged panel analysis indicated that retirement resources predicted retirement well-being rather than the reverse. Findings from the current study provide strong support for the resource perspective, which proposes that resources are critical to well-being in retirement. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings for retirement planning and designing retirement interventions are discussed.

► We design a new measure to determine the resources used in retirement.
► Excellent internal consistency (0.81–0.89) is reported.
► Excellent test–retest reliability (0.83–0.88) within 1 month
► Variance accounted for: retirement satisfaction (16%); retirement adjustment (22%)
► X-lagged panel analysis—resources predict retirement outcomes not the reverse.