Older workers’ views and needs regarding healthy pathways to retirement: a qualitative study

Background

Workers have to work longer than before due to an increasing statutory retirement age in many European countries, including the Netherlands. Extending paid working lives can have substantial consequences for the health of workers. An increasing number of workers experience difficulties to reach the retirement age in a healthy way; i.e., through a healthy pathway to retirement (HPTR). To optimize the support of older workers in having a healty pathway to retirement, it is important to first understand workers’ views and needs regarding a HPTR. The aim of this study is to explore older worker’s views towards a HPTR and their needs for following a HPTR.

Methods

Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were conducted between February and April 2024 with older workers in the Netherlands, recently retired or retiring within the upcoming four years) (n = 22). Data were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed.

Results

A HPTR covers the period from working life to and beyond the retirement transition. Workers’ health and aspects from the work and social environment contribute to a HPTR, e.g. work pleasure, working in a pleasant work environment and having both good physical and mental health. The needs for following a HPTR were captured in four themes, i.e. an age friendly work environment; balancing out work, health and personal life; passing the baton; and preparing for a new phase in life.

Conclusions

Needs for a HPTR in various domains were identified, with the organizational context playing a predominant role. Employers should increase their effort in creating age-friendly work environments and implementing organizational policies that meet workers’ needs, to optimally support older workers in following a HPTR.

Key messages

• Extending paid working lives requires a healthy pathway to retirement; workers’ health and aspects from work and social environment contribute to a healthy pathway to retirement.

• Workers’ needs for a healthy pathway to retirement include an age friendly work environment; balancing out work, health and personal life; passing the baton; and preparing for a new phase in life.