Why are they all so eager to retire (on transition to retirement in the Czech republic)

RABUŠIC, Ladislav. Why are they all so eager to retire (on transition to retirement in the Czech republic). Czech Sociological Review. Praha: Sociologický ústav AV ČR, 2004, vol. 40, No 3, p. 319-342. ISSN 0038-0288.

Basic information

• Original name: Why are they all so eager to retire (on transition to retirement in the Czech republic)
• Name in Czech: Proč všichni spěchají do důchodu (o odchodech do důchodu v ČR)
• Authors: RABUŠIC, Ladislav (203 Czech Republic, guarantor).
• Edition: Czech Sociological Review, Praha, Sociologický ústav AV ČR, 2004, 0038-0288.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Article in a journal
• Field of Study: 50000 5. Social Sciences
• Country of publisher: Czech Republic
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• Impact factor: Impact factor: 0.200
• RIV identification code: RIV/00216224:14230/04:00011563
• Organization unit: Faculty of Social Studies
• UT WoS: 000224320000005
• Keywords in English: Retirement; early retirement; pension system; transition to retirement; statutory retirement age
• Tags: early retirement, pension system, retirement, statutory retirement age, transition to retirement

Abstract

In ageing Czech society the age of retirement has become an important issue in debates on how to reform the pension system. In this article, which deals with the transition to retirement, the central question is asked what perspective the Czechs have on the timing of their retirement, and whether they are beginning to prepare themselves for the eventuality that they will have to retire much later than has been the case so far. Using results of various Czech representative surveys, the paradox of early retirement is found. It consists of contradictory links the Czechs know that their society has been ageing, that they have been living longer and that the number of pensioners has been increasing. They know also that after the retirement, their level of income (pension) will decrease substantially having a serious impact to their standard of living. Despite these facts the middle-aged and the elderly Czechs (45 years and older) not only oppose the increase in the statutory retirement age but they even prefer early retirement more frequently. Paradoxically, research conducted among the elderly has shown that many of those who are already retired today admit that they did not really want to retire. The article tries to find explanation of this paradox in the mentality of retirement created by the peculiar socialist labour market, and/or in the psychology of life course.

Abstract (in Czech)

Ačkoliv Česká republika se z důvodů stárnutí její populace snaží prodlužovat pracovní aktivitu osob v předseniroském a seniorském věku, průměrný věk odchodu do důchodu se zatím nedaří příliš zvyšovata. Důvodem je poměrně značný odíl předčasných odchodů, který v ČR každoročně zaznamenáváme. Tato stať ukazuje tzv. paradox českého odchodu do důchodu, kdy lidé ve věku pracovní aktivity ve výzkumech preferují nízký věk podchodu do důchodu, ale po odchodu do důchodu přiznávají, že se značné části v době, kdy už do důchodu odcházeli, odejít vlastně nechtělo. Vše je dokumentováno na datech z různých reprezentativních výzkumů, v závěru autor nabízí spekulativní vysvětlení tohoto paradoxu.

Links

• GA403/01/1099, research and development project: Name: Veřejnost, demografické procesy a populační politika - Česká republika 2001 (druhé kolo evropského komparativního výzkumu)

Investor: Czech Science Foundation, The Acceptance of Population-related Policies (PPA II)