Factors influencing the willingness to delay retirement among university teachers in Sichuan, China

The strategic use of highly educated older people, often called the "silver-haired workforce," is gaining importance in China due to rapid population aging and the nationwide introduction of delayed retirement policies. This study applies structural equation modeling (SEM) together with follow-up interviews, using data from university teachers in different institutions across Sichuan Province, China, to examine the main factors that shape their willingness to delay retirement. The results show: (1) Policy tools have a strong positive effect on willingness to delay retirement through a three-part mechanism (mandatory constraints, incentives, and soft regulation), making them the most important factor; (2) The occupational environment has a weaker direct effect, but its influence becomes stronger when mediated by psychological factors, showing hidden effects, delayed responses, and reduced impact over time; (3) The mediating role of psychological mechanisms differs across pathways because explicit policy tools directly affect perception, while the occupational environment influences willingness through cognitive processing. These findings offer practical evidence for education authorities and university leaders to improve retirement policies and faculty management strategies.