Israeli Women Over 75 Continue Full-Time Work, Finding Purpose and Vitality

Three Israeli women, aged 75 and 77, are defying traditional retirement norms by continuing to work full-time, citing benefits to their mental and physical health, sense of purpose, and social engagement. Shula Avin, 77, works as a secretary and literary group facilitator at a senior day center in Ra'anana. She believes mandatory retirement age should be abolished, allowing individuals to decide when they are no longer effective. Avin emphasizes that her work provides meaning, boosts self-worth, and contributes to her health, contrasting it with potential idleness. She has been working at the center for 25 years and receives a modest salary, though she also has shares in her late husband's company.

Hana Sharon, 75, manages leisure activities for seniors in Holon. After retiring at 72, she found social gatherings dull and quickly sought to re-enter the workforce. Sharon, who previously worked in advertising, printing, and public relations for 27 years at the Holon Theater, now organizes trips and activities for the elderly. She believes her maturity, life experience, and directness are valuable assets in the workplace. Sharon also notes that her pension allows her to live comfortably, and her work is driven by a desire for action and purpose.

Verdit Segal-Mor, 75, juggles two jobs: an integration aide in special education and a medical secretary. She also volunteers for environmental organizations. Segal-Mor's decision to continue working is partly motivated by her father's decline after retirement and her own fear of inactivity. She emphasizes that her work keeps her healthy and vital, providing social interaction with younger people and a sense of contribution, which she finds preferable to spending time in senior clubs discussing illnesses. While her pension fund is modest, she has other financial resources, but her primary motivation remains the desire to remain active and engaged.