Working beyond Retirement: Exploring the Experiences of Post-Retirement Workers

Retirement is increasingly regarded as a dynamic period of life in which many older adults continue to work, either full- or part-time, after reaching retirement age, rather than as a fixed endpoint to employment. This phenomenon, often referred to as post-retirement employment, reflects shifting views about aging, health and labor, personal motivations, and changing economic realities. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of post-retirement workers from a first-class municipality in Zamboanga del Sur who continue to be engaged in full or part-time jobs after formal retirement. It specifically looked at their motives, challenges, and holistic health and well-being. Qualitative-phenomenological design was employed, and data were gathered through one-on-one semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key themes and patterns. The results showed that the main motivators for Filipino post-retirement workers were social connection, personal independence, ongoing life purpose, financial security, and maintaining professional identity. Participants reported physical exhaustion, health restrictions, workplace adaptations, changing job demands, and work-family time constraints. Despite these difficulties, it was discovered that maintaining a job improved their overall health and wellbeing by maintaining mental clarity, maintaining physical functioning, enhancing social belonging, and bolstering emotional fulfillment and purpose. Despite the coexistence of age-related and professional problems, it was concluded that working past retirement is both a requirement and a meaningful personal choice for Filipino retirees, bringing significant benefits to their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. To encourage post-retirement employees' ongoing meaningful involvement in the workforce, it was advised that companies and institutions adopt age-inclusive policies, flexible workplace practices that consider their unique abilities, health needs, and well-being.

Keywords

Post-retirement Workers, Post-retirement Employment, Holistic Health, Well-being, Age-inclusive Policies

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Working beyond Retirement: Exploring the Experiences of Post-Retirement Workers

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