Spouses Differ on Ideal Retirement Plans

Married couples' preferences diverge about life after retirement, according to survey results released last week.

The survey by Mirae Asset asked 400 couples in their 30s and 40s in the Seoul metropolitan area about their ideal retirement homes, time they want to spend together, leisure activities and other issues.

Husbands said they prefer living in countryside homes, while wives want to stay in city apartments. In other words, men seem to value leisure in remote places with cleaner air and outdoor activities. Women’s priorities include proximity to Seoul, cultural facilities and other neighborhood amenities such as shopping centers and venues for social gatherings.

Men also said they wish to spend more time with their spouses, with 56 percent putting their ideal time together at 6 to 10 hours per day. Women are less enthused, and 72 percent said they want to limit time together to fewer than 5 hours.