What this means
This letter examines whether active aging reflects genuine choice or economic necessity. Responding to a recent bibliometric analysis, we argue that participation and productivity cannot be interpreted independently of older adults' material conditions.
A plain-English summary is on its way. Until then, this is the start of the authors' own summary.
- Who it was tested in
- Not stated
- Kind of research
- A study
The science
- Original title
- When Active Aging Is Not a Choice: Rethinking Productivity in Later Life.
- Authors
- Pramana, Herwandito S, Rahmawati YD
- Journal
- Journal of gerontological social work
- Published
- Oct 29, 2026
- Study type
- Study
- PMID
- 42954925 ↗
Abstract
This letter examines whether active aging reflects genuine choice or economic necessity. Responding to a recent bibliometric analysis, we argue that participation and productivity cannot be interpreted independently of older adults' material conditions. We distinguish chosen activity, compelled activity, and survival aging to clarify how similar forms of engagement may reflect different degrees of autonomy. Evidence from Indonesia, where many older adults work informally with limited pension protection, illustrates these tensions. We suggest that gerontological social work should assess later-life activity alongside income security, social protection, and the realistic possibility of reducing or ending work.
Pramana, Herwandito S, Rahmawati YD When Active Aging Is Not a Choice: Rethinking Productivity in Later Life. Journal of gerontological social work. 2026. doi:10.1080/01634372.2026.2753071. PMID: 42954925. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42954925/