Do retired women work more than men? We explain

Women, who often receive lower pensions than men due to lower earnings during their working lives and professional breaks to care for children or other family members, increasingly face the need to find an additional source of income. Why work is so important for them in protection and retirement age. The answer can be found in statistics.

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The Central Bureau of Statistics data is clear – Average pensions for women have fallen by at least 30% for many years. Less than the average man's pension. The average gross pension paid by ZUS was PLN 3,311.61, with men's average pension being PLN 4,103.07, while women's average pension was PLN 2,792.86 gross.

Moreover, 42.5 percent of women eligible for a pension receive an amount of up to 2.4 thousand Polish zlotys. Polish zloty per month. A pension of more than 3,000 PLN is collected at approximately 34.5 percent. In the range of up to 3 thousand PLN, the proportion of men receiving pensions is lower than among women. However, from 3 thousand PLN up to 3.2 thousand PLN and in each subsequent period the percentage of men receiving a pension is higher than among females. The largest proportion of men receive a pension ranging from PLN 4,000 to PLN 4,500. Zloty.

The decline in pensions is one of the reasons for the trends evident in the study conducted by OLX. “It follows this.”During the protection period and in retirement age, women are often more professionally active than men. This situation is influenced by age (men retire later, so they are less likely to work after age 65) and the occupations they perform, which lead to early retirement, which are dominated by men (eg uniformed services, miners). – We read in the study.

More detailed data is also interesting. “Yes, I work,” 67 percent answered. Respondents “no” – 33 percent of which, before the protection period, this percentage is even more pronounced – it ranges from 83 to 27. During the protection period, from 71 to 29.

70 percent of women answer the question “Do I work” in the affirmative – 30 percent. Negates. In the case of men, the ratio is 64 to 36, according to research.

Retired women often find work in sectors with flexible working hours, such as retail, health care and social assistance, as well as education and services. Working in these areas allows them to better adapt their professional duties to individual needs and preferences, which is especially important in the context of potential health limitations.

Silver people obviously want to rest and find time for other activities outside of work or travel. Interestingly, these needs are very similar to those expressed by Generation Z. However, this desire to breathe does not have to preclude professional work. Flexibility for both parties is important: both the employer and the silver employee. Part-time work, more vacation days, possibility of unpaid leave. There are many ways to encourage cooperation among these Silvers who, on the one hand, were looking forward to retirement and, on the other hand, knew they would miss work. – says Piotr Schwiedzewicz, Growth Director at OLX Praca

Maintaining professional activity is crucial for women. The gender pay gap means that women, on average, have up to 30% less in retirement savings. Stay active longer Professionalism helps eliminate this difference at least partially.

The main reasons for increasing professional activity in retirement include not only economic issues, but also the desire to maintain social contacts, a sense of purpose and active participation in social life. Professional work not only allows you to improve your financial situation, but also contributes to improving mental and physical health.

There are also other reasons for high professional activity. They are described in an OECD report. The study's authors confirm this In many countries, real wages are falling in all industries, but to a lesser extent in low-wage industries.

Of the 31 countries where data is available, in the first quarter of 2023 Real wages performed better in low-wage industries than in medium-wage industries in 18 countries and better than in high-wage industries in 22 countries. Real wages in low-wage industries were worse than real wages in both middle- and high-wage industries in just six countries, according to the 2023 Employment Outlook report. The reasons are clear – rising costs of living, healthcare and medicines mean almost everyone has to work more – Including people of protection age and retirement age.