Jump into the Void? Factors Related to a Preferred Retirement Age: Gender, Social Interests, and Leisure Activities

Abstract

Using the frameworks of the life course perspective and continuity theory, this study focuses on the association among working people between gender and specific leisure activities, social interests and individuals' preferred retirement age. The study is based on the first wave of the Norwegian Life Course, Aging and Generation (NorLAG) study, concentrating on workers 40-61 years old, thinking about retirement (n=2339). Results indicate that some leisure activities and interests are associated with preferences for early retirement, while other activities and interests are associated with preferences for later retirement. Different leisure activities and interests are related to men's and women's retirement preferences. Single women prefer to retire later than married women. Findings suggest that leisure activities and social interests have different relevance for men's and women's preferences for leaving the labor force. Women active in voluntary work prefer later retirement, while men engaged in fishing and hunting prefer early retirement.

Preference theory in advanced age and the older Czech workforce

“…In our sample we have not found gender differences in the preference typology and related concepts, which is contrary to what some sources suggest in terms of retirement preferences and policy responsiveness (de Grip, Fourage and Montizaan 2013;Frieze, Olson and Murrell 2011;Walters 2005;Nicolaisen, Thorsen and Eriksen 2012;but see Warner, Hayward and Hardy 2010). We propose interpreting it as gender irrelevance of work value if operationalized as more general activity orientation.…”

Barriers and facilitators to extended working lives in Europe: a gender focus

“…The key characteristics of the 15 included studies in the review are presented in Table 2 . Twelve of the studies were conducted in only one country: Norway n = 2 [ 28 , 29 ], UK n = 4 [ 30 – 33 ], The Netherlands n = 2 [ 34 , 35 ], Denmark n = 3 [ 36 – 38 ] and Germany n = 1 [ 39 ], with three of the studies being conducted across multiple countries [ 40 – 42 ]. In fourteen of the studies, the population was over the age of 40, with the exception of the Tuchsen et al’s [ 37 ] study which looked at the increasing risk of female shift workers going onto a disability pension across all ages.…”

“…In fourteen of the studies, the population was over the age of 40, with the exception of the Tuchsen et al’s [ 37 ] study which looked at the increasing risk of female shift workers going onto a disability pension across all ages. Of the included papers, 11 were quantitative, of which eight were longitudinal [ 28 , 29 , 31 , 35 , 37 , 38 , 40 , 41 ], three were cross-sectional [ 29 , 36 , 39 ] and four were qualitative [ 30 , 32 – 34 ].…”

“…There were n = 2,582 men and n = 2,545 women in the sample [ 40 ] Hofaecker et al 2016 Germany, UK (and Japan) Survey of Health and Ageing in Europe (SHARE), English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) and the Japanese Study of Health, Ageing and Retirement (JSTAR) Quantitative-longitudinal n = 5,172 English respondents aged 50 and over at t2 ( n = 2,617 men, n = 2,555 women) n = 1,549 German respondents aged 50 and over at t2 ( n = 909 men, n = 640 women) n = 892 Japanese older respondents at t2 ( n = 468 men, n = 424 women) [ 38 ] Larsen 2008 Denmark Danish survey of elderly individuals consisting of two waves from 1997 and 2002 Quantitative-longitudinal n = 1,579 wage earners aged 52–57 years old at t2 [ 30 ] Loretto and White 2006 UK Workers from finance, education, local government, hospitality, caring services, professional occupations and the private sector were represented Qualitative Employees aged 50 and over n = 33, n = 19 men and n = 14 women participated across the four focus groups [ 39 ] Micheel, Roloff and Wickenheiser 2011 Germany The data basis was constituted from the study ‘Continuing in employment in pensionable age’ Quantitative-cross sectional n = 1,500 aged 55 to under 65 years old. This excluded self-employed individuals or those who were unemployed [ 29 ] Nicolaisen, Thorsen and Eriksen 2012 Norway Drawn from the Norwegian Life Course, Aging and Generation (NorLAG) study Quantitative-cross sectional Workers aged 40–61 years (thinking about retirement) n = 2,339 [ 32 ] Porcellato et al 2010 UK Individuals residing the North West of England Qualitative Age range 50–68 years old. Total sample was n = 56, of which n = 22 were in paid work ( n = 31 males, n = 25 females) [ 41 ] Radl 2013...…”

Retirement Policies and Support for Emergency Service Personnel: The Transition to Retirement

“…There are a number of benefi ts of leisure pursuits and hobbies for older adults, including successful aging, increased engagement with life, and improved transition to retirement (Lu, 2011 ). The importance of activities and interests in relation to retirement and preferred retirement age has also been highlighted in the literature (Nicolaisen, Thorsen, & Eriksen, 2012 ). In the current context, it might be possible to encourage activities and interests (and their potential benefi ts) through routine staff training and up-skilling.…”