Preparations for retirement in Sweden: Migrant perspectives

Abstract

Migrants as a group are recognised as being at risk of receiving low retirement pensions. Income over a lifetime is the principle for calculating pension rights. We have interviewed a group of migrants about their retirement preparations. Our results show that there are obstacles that obstruct migrants from entering the Swedish labour market, which will greatly influence future pension rights. There are various lock-in effects that isolate migrants from the labour market and thus affect their present and future financial situation. Examples are labour market policy activities and that the minimum level pensions have mobility restrictions. These trajectories are set in perspective to Nancy Fraser's reasoning on justice in a transnational setting and Yeheskel Hasenfeld's reflections on people processing. An important implication from our findings is the need to explore ways to include a group that is currently excluded from the labour market, hence adequate retirement income protection.

Sidestepping Rights: An Analysis of the Intersection of Human Rights Obligations and Their Practical Implications for Older Migrants

“…This becomes particularly clear in a retirement perspective where a life-time-earnings-based system (see below) is prevalent, thus making latecomers' situation difficult. The ageing migrant's position, other things equal, relatively worsens as time goes by (Harrysson et al 2016).…”

“…In the pension system these requirements regard both time spent in Sweden and incomes earned and taxed, as well as type of employment contracts in play. Many migrants do not meet them as they deviate from the expected life course in three central dimensions: education, employment and retirement (Harrysson et al 2016). In these dimensions our life inclusion outcomes are dependent on national welfare institutions providing protection to us as their members.…”

“…The empirical data demonstrated significant complexity in the migration process and a diversity in retirement preparations that reflect biographies that do not conveniently fit into institutionalised expectations. These participants found themselves in a transitional position as job seekers, where they often had been for quite some time, and often as a group at risk of receiving low pensions in the future (Harrysson et al 2016).…”

Retirement Home? Ageing Migrant Workers in France and the Question of Return

“…Even in the European Union, which has made great efforts to streamline the transferability of welfare entitlements between different member states for its mobile citizens, non-contributory social security benefits fall outside the remit of the transferability legislation (EC Regulation 883/2004). This has very clear timetabling implications at retirement, both for older EU citizens contemplating mobility within the EU (see Gehring 2015) and for third-country nationals who may wish to divide their time between Europe and their countries of origin (see Harrysson et al 2016). For hostel residents who wish to claim social security benefits, France must remain their 'regular and effective' place of residence.…”

Older people in Sweden without means: on the importance of age at immigration for being ‘twice poor’

“…Finally, we mention that Harrysson, Montesino and Werner (2016), who using qualitative interviews, explored how older migrants to Sweden reflect on how to navigate and form the retirement and pension context in which they currently or soon will live. The study illustrated the obstacles that obstruct migrants from entering the Swedish labour market, greatly influencing their future pension rights.…”