Transitions to Retirement: Perceptions of Portuguese Older Men

Abstract

In this paper we present results based on the project Old Guys Say Yes to Community. We interviewed 90 men in southern Portugal between 60 and 93 years of age. Our main aim was to understand how older men experienced their transitions from work to retirement. We clarify the concept of transition and the models that explain transitions in the life course perspective. There are a number of factors to consider during the processes of retirement. Also, not much is known about the role of education and learning during the transition process. We try to contribute to the field, reflecting on the learning processes that result from this transition. Our findings show that work is one of the most crucial dimensions to consider in transitions to retirement (despite the fact that we identify many others). But education and learning do have an immense impact on the lives of older adults, either negative or positive.

Satisfaction in Retirement: A Comparison Between Brazil and Portugal

“…However, the living conditions of the countries in question must be considered. Although it is one of the lowest in Europe, the cost of living in Portugal is higher than in Brazil (Numbeo, 2019), meaning the reported income may not be sufficient to meet the retiree's basic needs, as is the case with Brazilian retirees (Almeida et al, 2015;Guerson et al, 2018;Valadas et al, 2019).…”

“…These results corroborate the findings of other studies of retirement that show the need for retirees to continue working part-time to survive in both countries. In Portugal, Valadas et al (2019) emphasized that most retirees have low capital due to a lifetime of low wages and limited ability to save for retirement, so that the only way to maintain their health and socialization is to continue working. Similarly, in Brazil, Guerson et al (2018) found that satisfaction with their income was one of the principal determinants of satisfaction with life for retirees who continue working after retirement.…”

“…Based on the data available about the two countries, it is possible to observe some similarities and differences between retirees in each. With regard to the quality of collective life, Portugal has higher indices of poverty, inequality and lack of social assistance to retirees than other European Union countries (Rodrigues, 2003), especially with the fall in family income associated with retirement (Albuquerque, Arcanjo, Escária, Nunes, & Pereira, 2010;Valadas, Vilhena, & Fragoso, 2019). Despite this, according to Loureiro, Mendes, Camarneiro, Silva, and Pedreiro (2016), retirement is viewed throughout Europe as a period for living a calmer life and enjoying a pension accumulated over a lifetime of work.…”

“…In Brazil, great socioeconomic inequality means retirement is experienced in various ways (Pinto, Coleho-Junior, & Carreteiro, 2019) who are more financially well-off see this phase positively, with more time for family and leisure (França, 2008). Many people at retirement age, especially men, continue working to continue exercising their role as family breadwinner (Almeida, Silva, Freitas, Mafra, & Fonseca, 2015;Guerson, França, & Amorim, 2018;Valadas et al, 2019).…”

The City of Espoo Develops as a Sustainable Learning City

“…Most of the classes take place in the evenings so that people who work in daytime can join them as well (City of Espoo, 2019a). Valadas, Vilhena, and Fragoso (2019) studied Portuguese men at the transition stage to retirement and found out that education and learning have an immense impact on the lives of older adults. Education had shaped the life paths of men, but it also affected directly and indirectly their motivation and ability to continue learning in later life.…”