Spain

Abstract

This chapter describes recent developments and debates on olderworkers’ participation in the labour force, retirement decisions and the pension system in Spain, from a social class, health and gender perspective. Spain is one of the most aged countries in the world. However, the Spanish population has one of the lowest levels of employment among people aged 50+ in Europe. Women retire later than men, mainly because they cannot afford to retire earlier. Women have a lower probability of achieving the requisite minimum contributions that give them the right to receive a pension. For women transition to post-employment life depends on perceiving retirement as forced upon them for family reasons or the need to care for other family members in poor health. Health is an important variable in determining the rate of activity among people under 60 years old, however this becomes less important as the incentives of the pension system become more evident. Women are more likely to have temporary work contracts, greater job insecurity and more exposure to emotional pressure. If women also care for relatives, extending working life may further worsen their mental and physical health status.