Retirement Intentions of the Public Health Nutrition Workforce

Abstract

BACKGROUND: High retirement rates are anticipated throughout public health as baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) near retirement. Predicting retirement intention would aid workforce planning. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Participants were nutrition professionals/paraprofessionals 45 years and older in nutrition programs under official health agencies' authority who participated in a census enumeration and released their data for research. Secondary data analysis was conducted using selected factors from Beehr's Model of Retirement Behavior to determine whether significant (P < or = .05) differences exist for and can be used to predict retirement intention (within 10 years) and years until intended retirement. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Of the 4,460 individuals, 47.2% intended to retire within 10 years. Retirement intention was predicted by age category, years of experience in nutrition/dietetics and public health nutrition, agency type, retirement and vacation benefits, time in direct services, US Department of Health and Human Services region, and full-time/part-time status. Years until intended retirement was predicted by age category, years of nutrition/dietetics and public health nutrition experience, required training, and time in direct services. Results suggest retirement rates similar to the public health workforce overall. Findings can be used by managers/administrators to prepare their organizations for worker retirement or to influence retirement intention. Further research is necessary to determine other factors impacting retirement decision.

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