242 Grief and Loss Across the Lifespan
Loss of or Change in Work Relationships
Most workplaces provide the adult with an opportunity to interact with many
other adults who may be diverse or similar in demographics, interests, and/
or style. The emotional energy provided by workplace relationships cannot
be underestimated and these relationships must be grieved. Work provides
a community where one’s worth is often recognized and one feels valued in
those relationships (Schlossberg, 2004). It is important for the adult who is
approaching retirement to examine work relationships and how they will
likely change. Schlossberg (2004, 2009) addresses different needs that relation-
ships fulfill. The first need is for attachment, a need fulfilled by marriage, part-
nerships, or close friends. The second need is for social integration, generally
satisfied when adults work together toward a common goal in a workplace
or volunteer setting. The third need is the opportunity for nurturance, ful-
filled when one cares for (and receives care from) family, children, and friends.
These relationships make adults feel as though they matter because the adult
feels needed. The fourth need is for reassurance of worth, a need often fulfilled
by work (Schlossberg, 2004). For adults whose work provided a source of self-
worth, finding other experiences for recognition will likely be important. The
fifth need is for a sense of alliance with, or sense of continuity in, relationships
with family. Many retirees enjoy spending increased time with adult children
and grandchildren in a more relaxed, easy pace. Adults are urged to consider
how these relationship needs were met prior to the phase of retirement so
that the adult can assess his or her support system and consider the need for
changes to it over time.Loss of Financial Resources
For some adults, retirement brings the opportunity to use the financial
resources that they have saved over the course of their adulthood. However,
for others it is a time when money becomes very tight, as income from a job is
no longer available and retirement planning may not provide resources beyond
income from Social Security. In the current economic crisis in the United States,
this issue is especially relevant as many private and public workplaces are
reducing retirement plan benefits and in some cases ending them. The change
from pensions (with a defined amount of money promised each month after
retirement) to 401(k)s and other investments (that are supposed to provide
annuities and other income in retirement but that are at risk when economic
circumstances mean investments can be lost) has left many at risk for financial
struggles as they age (Zurlo, 2012).
During this phase, adults often reassess their perspective on money.
Adults may begin to accept the fact that money is part of life, functional but
no longer a main focus (M. Stone & Stone, 2004). This may be a time for adults
to examine their emotional issues about money and to create a financial plan
that will allow for balance and more simplicity in life. Even so, for many, it
will remain a source of anxiety about whether the resources will hold out long
enough to enable a reasonable quality of life.