The spread of the phenomenon of retirement all over the modern world is a well-known fact. Equally well known to social scientists and politicians – but perhaps slightly less so to the broader public – is its long-term prolongation throughout the twentieth century, and its acceleration in the last third of the century due to the declining labour force participation of elderly people combined with increased life expectancy. There is also significant agreement that the spread of retirement is a complex historical process caused by the interplay of a number of social and economic factors. The aim of this chapter is to add to two cultural factors to the explanation of this extraordinary success story, which have not been sufficiently recognised up to now. First, the idea of a period of leisure in the later stages of life has deep historical roots; I argue that this concept emerged during Greco-Roman Antiquity, experienced a revival during the age of Renaissance, became even more widespread during the bourgeoise age of nineteenth-century Europe, and finally penetrated the working classes in the twentieth century. This idea of leisure in advanced age has served as a mental resource brought to life for different social groups in different historical constellations. Second, I draw attention to changing value systems in the affluent parts of the Western world, focusing on the increasing esteem for leisure. My argument is that the spread of retirement is part and parcel of the ongoing trend towards a leisure-rich society fueled by the increasing differentiation of leisure practices and aspirations and, not least, by the expansion of global leisure industries.
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