Demographics, the Third Age and partial retirement: Policy proposals to accommodate the changing picture of female retirement in Canada

ABSTRACT

Much concern has been raised around the potential impact of the retirement of the large baby boom generation. This article specifically addresses the unique issues surrounding the retirement of female baby boomers. Demographic changes, including increased labor force participation, coupled with declining fertility rates, have resulted in a social transformation of the roles women play in society. Despite these changes, women still bear much of the caregiving responsibilities in the household, which can complicate retirement choices. This article examines female retirement in the Canadian context and presents three policy proposals to expand women’s retirement choices, encourage longer-term labor force participation, and thereby extend their working lives into the Third Age.

KEYWORDS:

• Partial retirement
• female baby boomers
• Third Age
• pension policy
• flexible work arrangements
• life course
• demographics