This research investigates the possibility that attitude toward retirement is better understood as resulting from the worker's realistic appraisal of the type of retirement experience which he can expect than as part of a general value orientation stressing the worker role. Questionnaire data collected from 70 older industrial workers indicate that workers who can expect a positive retirement experience in terms of finances, friends, social activity, and level of preparedness are likely to have a positive attitude toward retirement. No relationship was found between commitment to work and attitude toward retirement.