Considers retirement as widespread developmental transition. Seeks to exploit and advance Erikson's life cycle model by noting major transition challenges between generativity and integrity; distinguishing between tasks and outcomes in such transitions; and viewing such tasks as derived from historical, biological, psychological, and sociocultural…

The sequence of planning was the same for all groups and included a resource-planning stage followed by a relationship-planning stage. Retirement programs for rural couples should focus on those in their forties and should involve both spouses and family members. (Author/JAC)