Attitudes towards active retirement The case of an aging region with moderate economic development

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.558532523018

• Palavras-chave: '

• Keywords: Retirement, active aging

• Abstract:

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  The aging of the population is a structural demographic trend that affects many developed countries. This phenomenon puts pressure on social protection systems, especially pensions, due to the increase in life expectancy and the extension of retirees' residual life. In this context, active retirement emerges as an option to prolong working life and alleviate the pressure on pension systems, as it allows people who have reached retirement age to continue participating in the labor market, either full-time or part-time, while receiving a percentage of their pension. Hence, it is important to analyze the assessment that workers close to retirement or already retired make of this instrument.

  The study focuses on the region of Extremadura, one of the most aged and with the lowest activity rates in Spain. Through a survey of people over 54 years old, the motivations and attitudes towards active retirement are identified. The results show that the predisposition to combine retirement and work varies according to age, economic situation, and perceived health. While low income and a poor economic situation increase the willingness to continue working, deteriorating health and the perception of having worked enough time are the main reasons for not opting for active retirement.