Productive activity patterns among 60-70-year-old retirees in Germany

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Andreas Mergenthaler - , Federal Institute for Population Research (Author)
  • Ines Sackreuther - , Federal Institute for Population Research (Author)
  • Ursula M. Staudinger - , Columbia University (Author)

Abstract

The phase of retirement has been steadily growing since the 1950s. Rules and regulations related to retirement have been changing. Recent cohorts have reached this phase in better health than previous ones. Until recently, retirement has been rather void of societal expectations, leaving room for individual decisions regarding amount and type of activity. Thus, investigating activity patterns displayed during this life phase, their predictors and outcomes seems overdue. The study addresses three questions: (a) Which distinct clusters of productive activities among retirees can be identified in Germany? (b) Do activity patterns of clusters follow complementary or substitutive composition rules? (c) Which are the most important predictors of cluster membership? Using probability-based sample data (N = 2,141) from the survey 'Transitions and Old Age Potential' (TOP), this study investigated clusters of productive activities among retirees aged 60-70 years in Germany. The activities examined included paid work after retirement, formal and informal volunteering, child care and care-giving. Results showed a four-cluster structure. The clusters (Multiple Engagers, Volunteers, Family Helpers and Family Disengagers) differed with regard to the composition and the intensity of productive activities. Both complementary and substitutive relations were identified within clusters. Individual, familial and economic resources were predictors of cluster membership. Results are discussed with regard to role theory, cumulative inequality theory and the ongoing debate about old-age potential.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1122-1151
Number of pages30
JournalAgeing and Society
Volume39
Issue number6
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2019
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

Keywords

  • cluster analysis, cumulative inequality theory, informal help, paid work after retirement, productive ageing, retirement, role theory, volunteering