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Understanding Retirement Processes: The Role of Life Histories

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The Palgrave Handbook of Age Diversity and Work

Abstract

In most developed countries, populations are aging rapidly due to long-term declines of fertility and increasing longevity (Wheaton and Crimmins 2012). These demographic developments have important implications for public finances, pension systems, labor markets, and organizations. Extending the working lives of older individuals is often perceived as a key policy response to population aging (OECD 2006), putting the issue of retirement high on the policy agenda as well as the scientific agenda. In this respect, insights are needed into factors that inhibit or rather stimulate the continuation of work careers, and keep workers engaged and motivated during late careers. Moreover, in the coming decades, numerous older workers will transition into retirement, which raises questions about how individuals experience their retirement and about factors that predict successful adjustment to retirement.

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  1. Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Marleen Damman

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  1. Marleen Damman
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  1. Cranfield School of Management, Cranfield University, Bedford, United Kingdom

    Emma Parry

  2. Department of Personnel and Employment Relations, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland

    Jean McCarthy

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Damman, M. (2017). Understanding Retirement Processes: The Role of Life Histories. In: Parry, E., McCarthy, J. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Age Diversity and Work. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-46781-2_11

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