Gender differences in retirement planning: A longitudinal study among Spanish Registered Nurses.

BACKGROUND: Consistent patterns of gender differences in retirement planning behaviours have been shown but little is known about these behaviours among nurses.

AIMS: To analyse the antecedents of the behaviours to prepare for retirement in nurses older than 55 and to identify differences as a function of gender.

METHODS: A two-wave longitudinal study with Spanish nurses (n = 132).

RESULTS: Statistically significant gender differences were revealed. Specifically, paths from financial knowledge to public protection and self-insurance as well as paths from goals clarity to public protection all differed by gender.

CONCLUSIONS: Patterns of retirement planning differentiated by gender apparently continue to emerge.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: The study adds evidence showing that female nurses continue to rely on public protection as a solid support for their retirement. Despite their greater awareness of the importance of health care and social relations, savings and finance are more neglected by female nurses. Intervention should be aimed at fostering financial literacy of the entire nursing population, but particularly, the access of women to this training. Secondly, given that the differences persist, advance planning of social actions to protect those who will be living alone and economically helpless in old age.