The research focus is on personal and other factors that pre-dispose, motivate and enable people to have longer working lives, drawing on both primary research and secondary sources. After a statistical overview of the European situation, most of the data used is from the United Kingdom, where substantial research has been carried out. Unless otherwise stated, research data are British. Surveys have shown a range of predictive factors, and that financial necessity and job satisfaction are two of the most important reasons for working after normal retirement age. These are illustrated by selected biographies drawn from two research projects, followed by an analysis of enabling factors, including qualifications, the availability of jobs, attitudes and policies of employers, health, government policy and vocational guidance and mentoring. The paper concludes that working after retirement age ought to be a matter of individual choice
