Looking Forward to a Dynamic Third Age - Spanish Survey Report

Abstract

The objective of the study is to offer a wide perspective of the situation based on the active and retired population. The study established the carrying out of the survey to 3,000 aged people in total as a minimum, being the universe used in the surveys people over 50 years old of both genders and resident in the three associated countries. Surveys were sent to more than 9,000 stakeholders. The period comprised the months of March and April of 2015. The survey’s target groups were selected from different stakeholders: academic and administrative staff of the University of Alicante, alumni from the Permanent University of the University of Alicante, senior alumni associations, and other third-age university programmes –as well as representatives of trade unions and professionals from public and private enterprises. The survey was conducted online after a previous information campaign that promoted the objectives of this project. The campaign was also published in the media and in social networks. All in all, a total of 1,391 50-year old and older people participated in the project, of whom 558 were still active and 833 retirees. Therefore, the response rate was situated around 15.5%. The aim of the survey was to elicit the differences of opinion between active and retired people. The answers were given anonymously and were differentiated into two target groups: retired/ early retired people and active people. The survey filled in by the retired/ early retired people consisted of 45 questions whereas the one directed to active people was made up of 40 questions. Among the questions the study dealt with, the different attitudes towards the preparation for retirement are included, as well as the function that the governments and firms execute when providing support to retirement.