Women’s working futures – views, policies and choices

Changes in the economy, workforce, technology, population and family structures have implications for women’s working futures. Longer life expectancy and an increasing proportion of older people in the community are expected to influence fiscal, economic and social policy and put pressure on government income support systems. These pressures will be exacerbated by older workers leaving the workforce. With an increasing proportion of older people in the population and increasing health and longevity, paid work after the age of 65 years may become an option or a necessity in the future. The focus of this paper is on women of the baby boom generation, their working futures and the issues that will influence their work‐retirement transition. This is explored from the viewpoint of Australian women and from a social policy perspective.