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Effect of Volunteering and Pensions on Subjective Wellbeing of Elderly–are there Cross-Country Differences?

Author

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  • Adam Okulicz-Kozaryn

    (Rutgers)

  • Leszek Morawski

    (University of Warsaw)

Abstract

We investigate the effect of volunteering and pensions on subjective wellbeing (SWB) of elderly using wave 6 of Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). This is the first study to consider volunteering and pensions simultaneously as a determinant of SWB among elderly across countries. We find that the effect of volunteering on SWB varies widely across countries. In some countries both effects are comparable, in other countries pensions have a larger effect on SWB. In general, effects are larger in South and East. High European pensions may be unsustainable in the long run–we argue that promotion of volunteering is one way to increase elderly subjective wellbeing amidst tightening budgets. The study is cross-sectional and correlational–we do not claim causality.

Suggested Citation

  • Adam Okulicz-Kozaryn & Leszek Morawski, 2021. "Effect of Volunteering and Pensions on Subjective Wellbeing of Elderly–are there Cross-Country Differences?," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 16(5), pages 1943-1959, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ariqol:v:16:y:2021:i:5:d:10.1007_s11482-020-09849-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s11482-020-09849-8
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    1. María del Carmen Valls Martínez & José Manuel Santos-Jaén & Fahim-ul Amin & Pedro Antonio Martín-Cervantes, 2021. "Pensions, Ageing and Social Security Research: Literature Review and Global Trends," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(24), pages 1-25, December.

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