| Keywords |
Retirement preparation; Life satisfaction; External support perceptions; Baby boomer generation |
| Abstract |
This study investigates the impact of retirement preparation on life satisfaction and explores whether the perception of external support for older adults mediates this relationship. In particular, by comparing the baby boomer generation in their 60s with the older generation in their 70s, the study aims to propose policy measures that reflect generational characteristics to enhance quality of life in an aging society. A total of 501 adults aged between 60 and 79 participated in this study, with data collected through quota sampling based on gender, age, and residential population ratios. Mediating effects were analyzed using the PROCESS macro for SPSS. The results indicate that higher levels of retirement preparation are associated with lower perceptions of external support, while perceptions of external support positively influence life satisfaction. Furthermore, even when controlling for the mediating variable, retirement preparation continued to exhibit a significant positive effect on life satisfaction. Notably, among baby boomers in their 60s, the mediating role of external support perception was more pronounced, suggesting that actively leveraging personal resources through retirement preparation, coupled with a positive perception of external support, is a critical strategy for improving life satisfaction in this cohort. These findings underscore the importance of an integrated approach to retirement preparation and external support perception in enhancing the quality of life for older adults in a rapidly aging society. Moreover, the study highlights the need for tailored welfare policies that address generational characteristics, offering practical implications for policy development. |