Preference theory in advanced age and the older Czech workforce

Abstract

In this article we make use of preference theory developed by Hakim (2000) in the context of reconciling work and family to cover and explain different patterns of retirement exit paths and retirement satisfaction levels in the Czech Republic. We propose that lifestyle preferences and values may help to explain why some older workers continue to work while others are determined to retire as early as possible. Three types are identified among the 55-65 age group: work oriented, retirement oriented, and adaptive. The data shows that self-perception of the respondent as being active or more rest-oriented is associated with actual labour market activity of the respondent. Different types also perceive and evaluate labour market exit differently, and most importantly they differ in their reaction to various labour market and pension policies and family/partnership conditions. In the discussion we challenge the notion of active ageing as a general "one-size-fits-all" policy and urge that more attention be paid to the role of individual values and preferences when looking at the organisation of latter life roles.

Identifying contemporary early retirement factors and strategies to encourage and enable longer working lives: A scoping review

“…Given the diversity of factors contributing to early retirement, multi‐pronged actions to enable and support longer working lives are likely needed now. This notion is in keeping with Vidovićová's () advice against a “one‐size‐fits‐all” approach. Early retirement is clearly a highly individualised decision (van Erp et al, ), and so each individual must be considered unique in their views about their short‐range or long‐range plans for retirement.…”

Mother–grandmother contracts: Local care loops and the intergenerational transfer of childcare in the Czech Republic

“…In 2004, Rabušic provocatively asked ‘Why are they all so eager to retire?’. He described the popularity of early retirement as ‘the Czech retirement paradox’: although Czechs are aware that society is aging, the number of pensioners is increasing, and the decrease in income is significant after retirement, ‘the overwhelming majority of the Czech public would like to retire before reaching the statutory retirement age’ (Rabušic, 2004: 339; see also Vidovićová, 2014). Rabušic sees two reasons for the preference for early retirement.…”

“…Recent studies continue to report this trend of preferring early retirement (Vidovićová, 2014, 2016); Women tend to leave the labour market earlier in order to fulfil the needs of their families to use ‘the pool of early retired relatives to provide informal care both to (grand)children and to elderly parents’ (Avramov and Cliquet, 2008: 280). Drawing upon the data collected as part of the ‘Work and Lifestyle: Transition 2006’ survey of the Czech population ages 55–65 years, Vidovićová (2014) reports the influence of the (potential) birth of grandchildren on the labour market exit. She shows that 15 percent of the researched population planned to exit earlier from the labour market and 21 percent would consider or had considered this option (Vidovićová, 2014: 67).…”

“…Drawing upon the data collected as part of the ‘Work and Lifestyle: Transition 2006’ survey of the Czech population ages 55–65 years, Vidovićová (2014) reports the influence of the (potential) birth of grandchildren on the labour market exit. She shows that 15 percent of the researched population planned to exit earlier from the labour market and 21 percent would consider or had considered this option (Vidovićová, 2014: 67). In sum, the current climate of intergenerational solidarity, with its perception of care commitments transferred between generations of women, and the idea that becoming a mother means adopting a continuous care commitment not only to a woman’s own children but also to her children’s children (Hasmanová Marhánková, 2010) shapes the grandmother pool as a reservoir of traditional care helpers.…”