This is a research report on a survey of missionary retirement programs of evangelical missions. The basic tool used was a questionnaire covering mission board information (vital statistics), general retirement information and calculation of mission pension. The questionnaire was sent to 105 mission boards with 61 returns (58%). Of these missions, 44 have a retirement benefits program. Supporting research has found that two factors which contribute most to satisfaction and morale in retirement are good health and financial independence. Of the missions responding, 71% find missionaries are concerned about financial security in retirement. Efforts to expand and improve retirement programs especially with respect to pension benefits appear appropriate.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Anonymous., (1984). Board retirement plans call for more than money. Evangelical Missions Quarterly, 20, 368–372.
2.
AtchleyR. C. (1975). Adjustment to the loss of job at retirement. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 6, 17–27.
3.
AtchleyR. C. (1977). The social forces in later life (2nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
4.
FairweatherK. A. (1977). A retirement survey for a limited number of IFMA missions. Unpublished manuscript.
5.
FitzpatrickE. W. (1980). An introduction to NCOA's retirement planning program. Aging and Work, 3, 20–26.
6.
FrisbeyN. (1984). Report of a missionary retirement survey. Unpublished manuscript.
7.
GeorgeL. K., & MaddoxG. L. (1977). Subjective adaptation to loss of the workrole: A longitudinal study. Journal of Gerontology, 32, 456–462.
8.
GeorgeL. K., FillenbaumG. G., & PalmoreE. B. (1984). Sex differences in the antecedents and consequences of retirement. Journal of Gerontology, 39, 364–371.
9.
KasschauD. L. (1974). Reevaluating the need for retirement preparation programs. Industrial Gerontology, 1, 42–58.
10.
KellyK. A. (1984). Evaluation of a pre-retirement planning program conducted from 1979–1984. Unpublished manuscript.
11.
PalmoreE. B., BurchettB. M., FillenbaumG. G., GeorgeL. K., & WallmanL. M. (1985). Retirement causes and consequences.New York: Springer.
12.
PearsonA. W. (1979). A handbook of the principles and practices of mission agencies.Portland, OR: Author.
13.
RockwellL. K., HoodA. B., & LeeV. E. (1980). APGA members in retirement and their advice to the rest of us. The Personnel and Guidance Journal, 59, 135–140.
14.
SchaieK. W., & WillisS. L. (1986). Adult development and aging (2nd ed.). Boston: LIttle, Brown and Co.
15.
StreibG. F., & SchneiderC. J. (1971). Retirement in American society.Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.
16.
Social Security Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services. (1983). Social Security Administration Publication No. 05–10345.Washington DC: Social Security Programs and Office of Research and Statistics.
17.
Social Security Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services. (1985). Social Security Bulletin 48(3).Washington, DC: Social Security Programs and Office of Research and Statistics.
18.
Social Security Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services (1986a). Social Security Bulletin 49(1).Washington, DC: Social Security Programs and Office of Research and Statistics.
19.
Social Security Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services. (1986b). Social Security Reference Guide, March.Washington, DC: Social Security Programs and Office of Research and Statistics.
20.
Social Security Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services. (1986c). Income and resources of the population 65 and over. Social Security Administration Publication No. 13–11727.Washington, DC: Social Security Programs and Office of Research, Statistics and International Policy.
21.
TIAA-CREF. (1981, March). Personal planning for retirement: TIAA-CREF survey results. The Participant. (Newsletter available from Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association, College Retirement Equities Fund, 730 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017.)
