Experiencing Retirement Through Teaching: Productive Engagement in Later Life across Two Cultures

TL;DR

This study explores how older adults in Portugal and the U.S. find purpose and well-being through teaching peers in lifelong learning programs.

Contribution

The study introduces a cross-cultural model of productive engagement through peer-education in later life.

Findings

Participants were motivated by knowledge sharing and community building.

Designing inclusive classes was a common challenge across both cultures.

Teaching as a peer-educator supports psychological well-being and social engagement.

Abstract

As life expectancy rises globally, many older adults seek meaningful opportunities to remain active after retirement. One such role is that of the peer-educator, in which older adults contribute their knowledge and experience by teaching age-based peers within lifelong learning organizations. This qualitative, cross-cultural case study explores the experiences of 34 older adult peer-educators aged 61 to 84 in Porto (Portugal) and Florida (U.S.). Guided by the cross-cultural productive engagement model and using reflexive thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews, this study explored motivations for participation, perceived rewards and challenges, organizational factors shaping engagement and perceived impacts on well-being. Participants were predominantly highly educated, with many reporting prior professional or teaching experience. Across both contexts, peer-educators described sharing knowledge, building community and reciprocity as central motivators and rewards, while designing meaningful and inclusive classes as a common challenge. Suggested organizational improvements focused on infrastructure and outreach; alongside context-specific needs. Overall, findings position the peer-educator role as a form of productive engagement in later life, demonstrating how contributing through teaching can support psychological well-being, mental stimulation, and sustained social participation, while underscoring the importance of organizational and cultural contexts in shaping meaningful opportunities for continued engagement.