# Flexible Goal Adjustment Predicts Well‐Being Before and After Retirement

## TL;DR

This study shows that the ability to adjust goals after retirement helps maintain well-being and self-esteem in both working and retired individuals.

## Contribution

The study introduces the concept of flexible goal adjustment as a predictor of well-being before and after retirement.

## Key findings

- Retired individuals rated professional goals as less important than working individuals.
- Flexible goal adjustment predicted self-esteem and well-being for both groups.
- Goal adjustment helps maintain well-being in retirement despite no direct link to professional goal importance.

## Abstract

Retirement represents a critical life change and is accompanied by the blocking of professional goals. We assume that the individual capability to adapt goals to changed conditions has a palliative effect on well‐being. The aim of the present study was to assess interindividual differences in goal adjustment and to analyse the predictive value of these goal adjustments for personal well‐being.

206 pastors participated in a self‐report online study. We assessed their current working status, individual preparedness for flexible goal adjustment (FGA), and the current importance of private and professional goals. Furthermore, their well‐being and self‐esteem were measured.

Our data showed that retired individuals rated professional, but not private, goals as less important than working individuals. Additionally, FGA predicted self‐esteem and well‐being for both working and retired individuals.

While there was no correlation between FGA and the importance of professional goals, the results still indicate that goal adjustment can help maintain well‐being in retirement.