We employed a mixed-method approach, surveying 330 Japanese academics approaching retirement age, to identify their inclination for early retirement. We tested a model using structural equation modeling, identifying the critical role of career orientation, work-life balance, and perceived employability in the decision. Qualitative analysis of verbal responses shed light on the reasons for career satisfaction and any inclination to continue working or retire. A follow-up study, interviewing 31 academics in their late career stage, enabled us to focus on their inclinations and views of delayed retirement. This expands career theory to the realm of pre- and post-retirement age, with implications for individuals, employers and decision-makers at the national level. Our theoretical contribution is applying contemporary career theory to anticipate inclination towards deviation from regulatory retirement age norms in a highly educated population within a non-western economically developed economy.