Gender Differences in Factors that Influence Time Spent Planning for Retirement Joy M. Jacobs-Lawson, PhD Douglas A. Hershey, PhD Kirstan A. Neukam, MS ABSTRACT. Retirement research has shown that planning activities are influenced by a variety of demographic and psychological variables. However, few investigations have focused on how demographic and psychological factors influence the time and effort men and women allo- cate to retirement preparation. In the present study, 184 individuals com- pleted a survey designed to assess future time perspective (FTP), worry about retirement, age, and income level. Hierarchical regression tech- niques were used to examine how these variables influenced the amount of time men and women spent planning for and thinking about retire- ment. Results revealed that women spent less time thinking about retire- ment than men, and gender was differentially related to the factors predictive of this activity. From an applied perspective, these findings suggest that separate retirement intervention programs are warranted that meet the unique needs of working men and women. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: <docdelivery@haworthpress.com> Website: <http://www.HaworthPress. com> © 2004 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.] Joy M. Jacobs-Lawson is Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky. Douglas A. Hershey and Kirstan A. Neukam are affiliated with Oklahoma State University. Address correspondence to: Joy M. Jacobs-Lawson, PhD Program in Gerontology, 306 Health Sciences Building, 900 S. Limestone, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536-0200 (E-mail: jjaco4@email.uky.edu). Journal of Women & Aging, Vol. 16(3/4) 2004 http://www.haworthpress.com/web/JWA  2004 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved. 10.1300/J074v16n03_05 55