Perceptions about the decision to continue working after retirement: a qualitative study at a public university

Abstract Objective To analyze the perception held by public university employees eligible for retirement, regarding the decision to continue working. Method A qualitative study with in-depth interviews analyzed using IRAMUTEQ® software (version 0.7 alpha 2) was conducted. The sample included 12 participants (7 women and 5 men). Results The most frequent words were “retire”, “process”, “life” and “continue”. In the similarity analysis, four communities of words were identified: "postponed retirement", "time to retire", "financial concerns", and "active aging". In the Descending Hierarchical Classification, four classes emerged: challenges of retirement, reinventing oneself, postponed retirement, and healthy aging. The results revealed that respondents held a multifaceted view of aging and retirement, considering financial, emotional and health aspects. Conclusion The findings corroborate the evidence in the literature on the meanings of retirement, underscoring the importance of understanding the perceptions of employees regarding this crucial time of transition. The thematic axes reflected the complexity and multidimensionality of the aging and retirement experience, highlighting the need for policies that promote active healthy aging, as well as emotional and financial support for this population. The study highlights the importance of adequate planning for retirement, considering the various dimensions that affect the quality of life of older workers.