The Economic Position of Retired Immigrants as an Emerging Field of Study: Research Questions, Theories, and Methodological Challenges

Koen Veldman , NIDI-KNAW
Kène Henkens, Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI)
Jelle Lössbroek, NIDI-KNAW
Frank van Tubergen, Utrecht University, Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI)

Abstract The number of retired immigrants has increased vastly in Western societies. Research shows that a substantial proportion of older migrants encounter severe financial hardships during their retirement years. In this agenda-setting paper, we offer a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art literature concerning the disadvantaged economic status of retired immigrants, while paying attention to the differences among immigrant groups as well as the strategies they use to improve their position. We argue that the precarious economic situation experienced by retired immigrants is the culmination of four interconnected factors: 1) retirement policies, 2) the pre-retirement economic position of immigrants, 3) sociocultural and psychological differences, and 4) their ties with their countries of origin. Although these four factors are theoretically plausible, there are many gaps in the scientific literature on the economic situation of retired immigrants. Therefore, this paper calls for more scientific research and provides directions to understand this topic better. Additionally, to assist future researchers, potential methodological challenges are described.

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 Presented in Session P2. Health, Mortality, Ageing - Aperitivo