From the Mind to the Bond: Latiné Retired Immigrants Remitting Back Home

Scholars have extensively examined sending remittance behaviours. In this study, we were interested in retired Latiné individuals’ psychological motivations for sending remittances, such as one’s future time perspective and retiring planning metacognition. Additionally, we were interested in how transnational ties, such as being a member of a hometown association and contacting family and/or friends from their country of origin, influenced sending remittances. Through the Qualtrics Online Panel, 301 participants were recruited with an average age of 66 ( SD = 9.68). We found that scoring high on retirement planning metacognition and contacting family and/or friends were consistently supported in influencing sending remittances. When all variables were included, only planning for the future or being a member of a hometown association increased Latiné individuals’ likelihood of remitting. Overall, Latiné individuals’ psychological financial worry propels them to send remittances for economic security, while transnational ties may pressure them to remit in order to maintain community membership. In this study, we were limited in learning why individuals remit. For future directions, using mixed methods can help develop a greater understanding of retirees’ decisions to send remittances to their loved ones.