Positive perceptions of work could encourage later retirement, research from the Finnish Centre for Pensions (ETK) has revealed, highlighting leisure time and family as the main draws away from the world of work.

The survey found that nearly all respondents who retired from work liked their pre-retirement work and found it meaningful.

However, slightly more than half found their work to be too hectic, and nearly as many felt that their work had changed too much or that the skill requirements had increased.

In particular, the research found that those who retired at age 65 or older had a positive perception of their work, while those who retired at or close to their retirement age more often felt that their work was hectic and strenuous.

This attitude was more common amongst women, as well as public sector employees and those who assessed that their health and ability to cope had weakened.

These groups also felt more often than others that work and the conditions at the workplace had greatly affected their decision to retire.

Indeed, the research found that whilst 71 per cent of respondents felt that the skills of older workers were appreciated at the workplace, only slightly more than half felt that they had received the required support to continue working until their retirement age.

Increasing leisure time was also a key factor in the decision to retire, as nearly two thirds of the respondents felt that this affected their decision to retire at least to some extent.

The desire to spend time with close relatives was also an important motive, as more than half wanted to retire while they or their spouse were in good health.

The intent to spend time with family was particularly prominent among women, as these factors affected the decision to retire more often than average among those who retired at or close to their retirement age.

However, the research found that health and ability to cope rarely influenced the decision to retire, with just one fifth of the respondents stating that a weakened ability to cope affected their decision to retire strongly or to some extent.

ETK economist, Sanna Tenhunen, stated: “The fairly low incidence of health and ability to cope in the responses may be explained by the respondents being persons who had retired from work, that is, persons whose health and ability to cope had lasted up to their retirement age.

“Negative perceptions relating to working conditions seem to be factors that push people out of working life.

“The observations indicate that the possibility to influence one’s work may make work more meaningful and increase work motivation, which may extend working life."

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