The Process of Continued Work after Retirement: A Bridge Job Perspective

Abstract

While it has become common to expect people to continue working long after they reach the traditional retirement age, academic research on the various ways older individuals continue to participate in the workforce other than continuing to work for the same company is limited. As labor shortages persist, the number of older workers is increasing. However, the factors that encourage or hinder continued employment are not fully understood. Drawing on bridge job research from Europe and the United States, this study examines the employment continuation processes for individuals who continue to work after they “retire.” Using the Trajectory Equifinality Approach, I identify four employment continuation pathways based on older workers’ career trajectories: challenge-seeking, modest aspiration, self-directed transition, and practical continuer. In Japan, bridge job research can promote employment among those in their late 60s and older, and the lessons learned can support their continued employment. Furthermore, conveying the value of work and providing meaningful tasks can encourage continued employment among older workers. However, I find a gap between companies’ perceptions of age and their awareness of those who continue to work, which could negatively impact employment after retirement.