Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Retirement and Postretirement Issues

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Aging in Hong Kong

Part of the book series: International Perspectives on Aging ((Int. Perspect. Aging,volume 5))

Abstract

Population aging with increasing numbers of older people living longer and healthier lives has resulted in the need to review the age of retirement, from the perspectives of governments, organizations as well as older workers. Relevant issues include pension sustainability, service provisions and workforce planning for an aging workforce from the perspectives of governments and organizations. From an individual’s perspective, planning for the “third age” may be challenging, if social inclusion, a cornerstone of positive aging, is to be achieved. Social exclusion has adverse health consequences. A survey of older persons indicated a desire for flexible postretirement occupations, while opportunities for such occupations are being developed for companies as well as social enterprises. Structured volunteer programs may also promote social inclusion. Findings from Hong Kong suggest that there is a need to reconsider the current retirement age, to develop flexible employment after the official retirement age, and to develop more organized strategies for promoting social capital including volunteerism.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Aday RH, Kehoe G (2008) Working in old age: benefits of participation in the senior community service employment program. J Workplace Behav Health 23(1/2):125–145

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alpass F, Neville S, Flett R (2000) Contribution of retirement-related variables to well-being in an older male sample. N Z J Psychol 29:74–79

    Google Scholar 

  • AXA (2006) AXA retirement scope: retirement, a new life after work? Wave 2, Hong Kong

    Google Scholar 

  • Benjamin K, Wilson S (2005) Facts and misconceptions about age, health status, and employability (HSL/2005/20). The Health and Safety Laboratory, Buxton

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooke L, Taylor P (2005) Older workers and employment: managing age relations. Aging Soc 25:415–429

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burdorf A (2010) Is early retirement good for your health? BMJ 341:1113–1114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Calo TJ (2005) The generativity track: a transitional approach to retirement. Public Pers Manag 34(4):301–312

    Google Scholar 

  • Chau PH, Woo J (2008) How well are seniors in Hong Kong doing? An international comparison. A report of the Cadenza Project. Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust

    Google Scholar 

  • Chau PH, Mak B, Choy SY, Chan KC, Cheung SH, Woo J (2010) Raising health literacy and promoting empowerment to meet the challenges of aging in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Educ Gerontol 36:12–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chong AML, Ng SH, Woo J, Kwan AYH (2006) Positive aging: the views of middle-aged and older adults in Hong Kong. Aging Soc 26:243–265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chou KL (2009) Retirement income protection in Hong Kong. In: Fu T-h, Hughes Rhidian (eds) Aging in East Asia: challenges and policies for the twenty-first century. Routledge, Oxford, pp 105–122

    Google Scholar 

  • Chou KL, Chow NWS (2005) To retire or not to retire: is there an option for older workers in Hong Kong? Soc Policy Adm 39(3):233–246

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clary EG, Snyder M, Stukas AA (1996) Volunteers’ motivations: findings from a national survey. Nonprofit Volunt Sect Q 25:485–505

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clary EG, Snyder M, Ridge RD, Copeland J, Stukas AA, Haugen J, Miene P (1998) Understanding and assessing the motivations of volunteers: a functional approach. J Pers Soc Psychol 74(6):1516–1530

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dendinger VM, Adams GA, Jacobson JD (2005) Reasons for working and their relationship to retirement attitudes, job satisfaction and occupational self-efficacy of bridge employees. Int J Aging Hum Dev 61(1):21–35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (2005) Joint report on social protection and social inclusion 2005. European Commission, Brussels

    Google Scholar 

  • Eyster L, Johnson RW, Toder E (2008) Current strategies to employ and retain older workers: Final report, available at http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/TEN/ten2007/TEN34-07al.pdf

  • Fried LP, Carlson MC, Freedman M, Frick KD, Glass TA, Hill J, McGill S, Rebok GW, Seeman T, Tielsch J, Wasik BA, Zeger S (2004) A social model for health promotion for an aging population: initial evidence on the Experience Corps model. J Urban Health 81(1):64–78. doi: 10.1093/jurban/jth094

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hartlapp M, Schmid G (2008) Labour market policy for ‘active aging’ in Europe: expanding the options for retirement transitions. J Soc Policy 37(3):409–431

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ho LS, Wei XD, Voon JP (2000) Are older workers disadvantaged in the Hong Kong labour market? Asian Econ J 14(3):283–300

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • HSBC (2006) The future of retirement in a world of rising life expectancies. http://www.hsbc.com/futureofretirement

  • Ilmarinen J (1997) Aging and work–coping with strengths and weaknesses. Scand J Work Environ Health 23(Suppl 1):3–5

    Google Scholar 

  • Institute of Public Administration (2010) Aging in the public service. Efficiency Unit. The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson N, Walter M, Felmingham B, Spinaze A (2006) Will Australia’s baby boomers change their retirement plans in line with government thinking? A review of recent literature on retirement intentions. Aust Bull Labour 32:315–344

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim S, Feldman DC (2000) Working in retirement: the antecedents of bridge employment and its consequences for quality of life in retirement. Acad Manage J 43(6):1195–1210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim JE, Moen P (2001) Is retirement good or bad for subjective well-being? Curr Dir Psychol Sci 10:83–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lou V (2008) Social exclusion: the case of older people who collect re-cycling material. Paper presented at the Social Capital and Volunteering in Modern Aging Cities: building intergenerational inclusion, Hong Kong

    Google Scholar 

  • McEvoy GM, Cascio WF (1989) Cumulative evidence of the relationship between employee age and job performance. J Appl Psychol 74(1):11–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ng TW, Feldman DC (2008) The relationship of age to ten dimensions of job performance. J Appl Psychol 93(2):392–423. doi:10.1037/0021-9010.93.2.392, 2008-02855-011 [pii]

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ng SH, Woo J, Kwan A, Chong A (2006) Positive aging: a conceptual framework. Korean J Psychol Soc Issues 12(5):29–43

    Google Scholar 

  • OECD (1998) Maintaining prosperity in an aging society. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • OECD (2006) Aging and employment policies – live longer, work longer. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Office USGA (2005) Older workers: labor can help employers and employees plan better for the future (GAO-06-80), U.S. Government Accountability Office. Available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d0680.pdf. Accessed 23 Mar 2010

  • Paul RJ, Townsend JB (1993) Managing the older worker – don’t just rinse away the gray. Acad Manag Exec 7(3):67–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterson SJ, Spiker BK (2005) Establishing the positive contributory value of older workers: a positive psychology perspective. Organ Dyn 34(2):153–167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Posthuma RA, Campion MA (2009) Age stereotypes in the workplace: common stereotypes, moderators, and future research directions. J Manag 35(1):158–188

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rebok GW, Carlson MC, Glass TA, McGill S, Hill J, Wasik BA, Ialongo N, Frick KD, Fried LP, Rasmussen MD (2004) Short-term impact of experience corps participation on children and schools: results from a pilot randomized trial. J Urban Health 81(1):79–93

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reday-Mulvey G, Taylor P (1996) Why working lives must be extended. People Manag 2(10):24–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Reddy DM, Fried LP, Rand C, McGill S, Simpson CF (2007) Can older adult volunteers serve effectively to improve asthma management for children? Experience Corps Baltimore. J Asthma 44:177–181

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rhodes SR (1983) Age-related differences in work attitudes and behavior: a review and conceptual analysis. Psychol Bull 93(2):328–367

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rice NE, Lang IA, Henley W, Melzer D (2011) Common health predictors of early retirement: findings from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging. Age Aging 40(1):54–61. doi:afq153 [pii] 10.1093/aging/afq153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ritchie J, Spencer L (1994) Qualitative data analysis for applied policy research. In: Bryman A, Burgess RG (eds) Analysing qualitative data. Routledge, London, pp 173–194

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Rosen B, Jerdee TH (1976) The nature of job-related age stereotypes. J Appl Psychol 61:180–183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Services HKCoS (2010) Impact in action. Hong Kong Council of Social Services Newsletter 26 Oct 2010. doi:http://www.hkcss.org.hk/csi/enewsletter/CSI_enews_04_en.html

  • Smyer MA, Pitt-Catsouphes M (2007) The meanings of work for older workers. Generations 31:23–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Stein D (2000) The new meaning of retirement. ERIC digest no. 217, available at http://www.ericdigests.org/2001-1/retirement.html. Accessed 23 Mar 2010

  • Stendardi EJ (2005) Using phased retirement to make a baby boomer retirement work. Humanomics 21(1/2):48–59

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stenlund C (2004) Creating better working conditions for older workers, available at http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/ewco/2004/05/SE0405NU04.htm. Accessed 23 Mar 2010

  • Sun Life Financial (2011) Global Unretirement Report, available at http://cdn.sunlife.com/static/global/files/News%20and%20insights/pa_e_Global_Unretirement_Report.pdf

  • Tan EJ, Xue QL, Li T, Carlson MC, Fried LP (2006) Volunteering: a physical activity intervention for older adults–The Experience Corps program in Baltimore. J Urban Health 83(5):954–969. doi:10.1007/s11524-006-9060-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taqi A (2002) Older people, work and equal opportunity. Int Soc Secur Rev 55(1):107–120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor P, Urwan P (2001) Age and participation in vocational education and training. Work Employ Soc 15:763–779

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vernon K (2010) Aging: impact on companies in Asia. Community Business, Hong Kong

    Google Scholar 

  • Villosio C, Di Pierro D, Giordanengo A, Pasqua P, Richiardi M (2008) Working conditions of an aging workforce. European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, Dublin

    Google Scholar 

  • Waldman D, Avolio BJ (1986) A meta-analysis of age differences in job performance. J Appl Psychol 71(1):33–38

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker A, Taylor P (1993) Ageism versus productive aging: the challenge of age discrimination in the labour market. In: Bass SA, Caro FG, Chen YP (eds) Achieving a productive aging society. Greenwood, Westport, pp 61–79

    Google Scholar 

  • Warburton J (2006) A feeling of worth: the relationship between volunteering and health in later life. Volunt Act 8:3–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Warburton J (2008) Volunteering and aging: pathways into social inclusion in later life. Paper presented at the Social Capital and Volunteering in Modern Aging Cities: building intergenerational inclusion, Hong Kong, 15–17 Dec 2008

    Google Scholar 

  • Westerlund H, Vahtera J, Ferrie JE, Singh-Manoux A, Pentti J, Melchior M, Leineweber C, Jokela M, Siegrist J, Goldberg M, Zins M, Kivimaki M (2010) Effect of retirement on major chronic conditions and fatigue: French GAZEL occupational cohort study. BMJ 341:c6149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WHO (1993) Aging and working capacity: report of a WHO study group. Technical report series, no. 835, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  • WHO (2007) Global age-friendly cities: a guide. World Health Organization, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  • Wong SY, Leung JC, Woo J (2011) The relationship between worthlessness and mortality in a large cohort of Chinese elderly men. Int Psychogeriatr 23(4):609–615. doi:S1041610210000724 [pii] 10.1017/S1041610210000724

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yan E, Tang C (2008) Involvement in volunteer activities and related mental health outcomes: a study of older Chinese in Hong Kong. Paper presented at the Social Capital and Volunteering in Modern Aging Cities: building intergenerational inclusion, Hong Kong, 15–17 Dec 2008

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong

    Benise Mak & Jean Woo

  2. Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, and The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong

    Jean Woo

Authors
  1. Benise Mak
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jean Woo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Benise Mak .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, 9F Clinical Sciences Building, Shatin NT, 00000, Hong Kong SAR

    Jean Woo

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Mak, B., Woo, J. (2013). Retirement and Postretirement Issues. In: Woo, J. (eds) Aging in Hong Kong. International Perspectives on Aging, vol 5. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8354-1_4

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation