Purpose
Many retirees decide to engage in some kind of work-related activity in their original career field. However, little is known about the planning process of post-retirement career activity. The aim of the present study was to apply mechanisms and variables of social cognitive career theory (SCCT; Lent, Brown, & Hackett, 1994) to post-retirement career planning.

Design/Methodology
197 employees of a German aerospace company aged 50 to 65 years completed an online survey.

Results
Results suggest that cognitive variables as well as social support constitute important factors in post-retirement career planning. The hypothesized model fits the data well (X²(2) = 1.55, p = 0.46; RMSEA = 0.000; CFI = 1.00; SRMR=.018). Outcome expectations and job interest have direct effects on the intention to continue working in retirement which in turn has a direct effect on the level of planning activity regarding post-retirement work. Furthermore, expected social support has direct effects on planning activity, intention, and outcome expectations.

Limitations
The study has some limitations due to its cross-sectional design, the relatively small sample and the use of self-developed scales.

Research/Practical Implications
The results of the study provide an insight to the correlates of career planning for retirement. Interventions designed to strengthen outcome expectations as well as expected social support could support older workers in their post-retirement career planning.

Originality/Value
To our knowledge, the study is the first to investigate the role of social support for the engagement in post-retirement work activities in the framework of social cognitive post-retirement career planning.