Reversing retirement frontiers in the spaces of post-socialism: active ageing through migration for work

Abstract

This paper reworks the notion of active ageing through analysis of a case which reverses the retirement-migration nexus – people in the post-socialist realm who approach retirement age and then migrate to begin a new working life. They are thereby introducing a new and complex arrangement to the general concept of ‘international retirement migration’. In the post-socialist world, new retirement migration frontiers emerge in the context of a severe weakening of welfare systems. I illustrate this case with data from long-term research with ageing Latvian migrant women to the United Kingdom and the Nordic countries. Even those whose old-age pensions are more or less adequate nevertheless seek temporary employment and new cultural experiences abroad. However, the dominant trend has been towards the pauperisation of older parents and those approaching retirement age due to the significant decline in state welfare. This case of many older-age Latvians who de facto cannot retire due to low disposable income reveals ‘reverse frontiers of retirement’: working as long as they can, pushing their personal geographical frontiers outward by emigrating for work and making national frontiers more porous through transnational practices. Conceptually and geographically, the research holds relevance for a wider discussion of trends and contextual factors in other post-Soviet and post-socialist countries with increasing diversities among retirees.

New frontiers in international retirement migration

“…This is why the special issue papers cover a wide spectrum of age ranges, looking both at individuals who have moved abroad after retirement and at younger research participants who migrate in anticipation of retirement. One of the papers in the special issue (Lulle, 2021) actually ‘reverses’ the retirement–migration nexus by looking at people in the post-Soviet realm who reach retirement age and then migrate abroad to begin a new working life to stave off poverty and inactivity.…”

“…Cases of the empowering effect of IRM for single women are also noted by Hayes (2021, this issue) and Sampaio (2018). Lulle and King (2016) and Lulle (2021, this issue) document the experiences of older Latvian women in the United Kingdom (UK) and Nordic countries who achieve self-realisation and economic independence through migrating for work in later life.…”

A Generational Divide? Coping With Ethnic Prejudice and Inequality Among Romanian Roma Transnational Returnees

“…Similar to other cases of return examined by other studies, mobility remains essential for adult and older Roma. However, in contrast to other case studies with older pensioners-but similar to other East Europeans (Lulle, 2021)-older Roma migrate and return, needing to work in order to secure decent living conditions in a neoliberal and discriminating context. The post-return experiences of the Roma are shaped by ethnic negotiations and changing relations.…”

Social attitudes towards professional work of the 55+ generation. Comparative analysis of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary

“…The concept focuses on optimizing the opportunities related to the health, participation and security of older people so that they remain productive for the longest possible period (Foster and Walker, 2015;Constança et al, 2012;Foweraker, 2020;Van Thienoven et al , 2020;Sophier et al, 2020). The most indicative utility is professional activity (Kartuzova 2020;Raab, 2020;Lulle, 2021). The continuation of professional work by older workers is of great importance for several reasons.…”