Gradual transition, reduced hours, late career, social engagement, extended family living, entrepreneurship and unretirement. Retirement today means many things, and our perceptions of retired life needs rethinking. So says Aske Juul Lassen, associate professor and ageing researcher at the University of Copenhagen, who over the past 10 years has researched the transition into retirement and retirement in itself.

There is still a widespread notion that pensioners who have withdrawn from life are frail and headed for a care home or the grave. But my research shows the opposite. For many pensioners, retirement is seen as a new chapter in life. Although retirement often means stepping away from the responsibilities of working life, it is also an opportunity to pursue new and old interests, cultivate new and existing relationships and generally rediscover life. Today, retirement is thus more about development than winding down," explains Aske Juul Lassen.

Retirement is not a single point in time

Through a series of interviews with pensioners about their experiences of retirement, Aske Juul Lassen has identified how diverse and nuanced retirement has become. There are many different ways to retire. 

”Retirement is not a single point in time, but rather a process shaped by gradual transitions. Many people stop working when they reach retirement age. But those who continue often discover that working feels more liberating when they have greater control over how much and how long they work. In this way, they can rediscover the joy of working", says Aske Juul Lassen.

”I have, among others, spoken to a retired engineer who chose to retire because work had taken up too much of his life. Afterwards, however, he found a new way of staying connected to the labour market, including by getting a bus driver's license which illustrates the point very well, Retirement and working life are no longer necessarily an either-or. 

Free choice or free fall

As retirement has become a more free stage of life, it may also be more challenging. For some, retiring can feel like a balancing act between free choice and free fall. 

"The void that many people experience when they retire can be like a state of weightlessness. On the one hand, it may be wonderful as you are feel to float around, unconstrained by gravity. But at the same time, it can be unbearable because there is no sense of direction or grounding. In that situation, it is important to consider what matters to you about retirement and use that as a starting point for finding your footing in this new phase of life. Ideally, you should start thinking about these things well before you retire", says Aske Juul Lassen.

Prepare yourself and remember to relax

Studies seem to suggest preparation as a key factor in making retirement a positive experience. Although most people find themselves easing into retirement somewhat unexpectedly, it can make a big difference to align expectations to some extent - both with yourself and with those closest to you. 

"When we talk about preparation, of course it is partly about the financial side, but also about what you want to engage in, how much space your grandchildren should take up, how much you and your partner want to share your lives, and where and how you want to live. It is not necessary to plan every detail, but it is a good thing to be conscious of the choices you make", says Aske Juul Lassen, continuing:

"That said, it is also very important to remember to relax. In Denmark, we have a protestant work ethic in which being busy can be associated with status, and that can make it difficult for many people to slow down and enjoy their freedom. But with a little bit of preparation and practice relaxing along the way, retirement can be a life stage with endless possibilities.

Learn more in our webinar

In the webinar 'Getting started with retirement' ('Kom godt i gang med din pension') you can learn more about Aske Juul Lassens research and get practical advice on how to make the most of your life in retirement.

See the webinar (in Danish) here