Women working past 65

WOMEN are working past retirement age because of social networks in the workplace and flexibility, while men stay working longer because they value their work, according to new research.

The Griffith University research illustrates that men and women have different reasons for continuing to work past retirement age.

Researchers Kate Shacklock, Yvonne Brunetto and Silvia Nelson surveyed people aged 50 plus and were working in a Queensland Government organisation.

“There are several clearly identifiable work related variables that impact on the intention of older workers to continue paid work, including importance of work, flexibility and interests outside of work,” says Shacklock.

“For older women, higher levels of autonomy and flexibility, and the opportunity for personal relationships are likely to extend their working lives.

Work-related variables that specifically related to, and were significant for women include interpersonal relationships, utonomy, flexibility and interests outside of work.

“On the other hand, importance of work, and interests outside work were important variables for men in their intentions to continue working.’

There were 379 surveys returned— 67.3 per cent were male and 31.9 per cent female.