New Horizons in Later Life: Motives, Family Ties and Return of International Retirement Migrants

With increased life expectancy and growing prosperity, retirement is increasingly seen as a phase of new opportunities. Particularly since the 1980s, more and more older adults are moving abroad after their working life. This dissertation explores the motivations behind international retirement migration, retirement migrants’ relationship with their children in their country of origin, and whether they return to the country of origin. Using original large-scale survey data from a representative sample of 6,110 Dutch retirement migrants across forty destinations, the findings highlight diversity within the population of retirement migrants. Although most retirement migrants move to Southern Europe, over 40 percent choose other destinations: a new life in Thailand or lower living costs in Hungary. People’s migration motives are not random but linked to personal background characteristics. For example, a higher socioeconomic status is associated with a tranquillity motive but not with lower costs of living. The diversity is also reflected in relationships with children and the return decision. For all retirement migrants, it is difficult to see their children regularly in person, but this is especially true for those who live further away or have fewer financial resources. Although migration is often seen as a permanent step, more people return than initially intended. Poorer health, loneliness, and strong social ties in the Netherlands increase the likelihood of return, but in particular the role of children seems to be an underestimated factor. Overall, this dissertation sheds light on both the risks and rewards of exploring new horizons in later life.