Why older workers work beyond the retirement age: a qualitative study

BMC Public Health

Research Article

Lennart G.L. van der Zwaan¹  Romy Steenbeek¹  Wieke E. van der Borg²  Allard J. van der Beek³  Cécile R.L. Boot³  Ranu Sewdas³  Astrid de Wind³ 

[1] Body@Work, Research Center on Physical Activity, Work and Health, TNO-VU/VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands;Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, TNO, Department of Work, Health & Care, Schipholweg 77-89, 2316 ZL, Leiden, The Netherlands;Department of Medical Humanities, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, De Boelenlaan 1089a, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands;Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands;Body@Work, Research Center on Physical Activity, Work and Health, TNO-VU/VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands;

关键词: Ageing;    Bridge employment;    Employment participation;    Retirement;    Qualitative research;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12889-017-4675-z

 received in 2016-12-16, accepted in 2017-08-09,  发布年份 2017

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThe aims of the present study were to: 1) gain insight into reasons for working beyond the statutory retirement age from older workers’ perspectives, and 2) explore how the domains of the research framework Study on Transitions in Employment, Ability and Motivation (STREAM) can be applied to working beyond retirement age.MethodsA qualitative research design included individual interviews (n = 15) and three focus groups (n = 18 participants) conducted with older workers aged 65 years and older continuing in a paid job or self-employment. Interview participants were recruited from an existing STREAM cohort study. Focus group participants were recruited from companies and employment agencies. The data were subjected to thematic analysis.ResultsThe most important motives for working beyond retirement age were maintaining daily routines and financial benefit. Good health and flexible work arrangements were mentioned as important preconditions. The themes emerging from the categorization of the motives and preconditions corresponded to the domains of health, work characteristics, skills and knowledge, and social and financial factors from the STREAM research framework. However, our analysis revealed one additional theme—purpose in life.ConclusionThis study offers important new insights into the various preconditions and motives that influence working beyond retirement age. In addition, the five domains of the STREAM research framework, including the additional domain of ‘purpose in life’, seem to be applicable to working beyond retirement age. This knowledge contributes to the development of work-related interventions that enhance older workers’ motivation to prolong their working lives.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2017