Weiterarbeit

Weiterarbeit is a German term used in labor and policy discourse to describe the continuation of paid work beyond standard retirement or beyond the point at which one would typically cease employment. The form and meaning vary by context; the word combines Weiter- (further, continued) and Arbeit (work).

In practice, Weiterarbeit can refer to several scenarios. It may describe an employee who continues full- or part-time work after reaching retirement age, a situation common in countries with flexible pension schemes. It can also denote ongoing work on a project or contract that extends beyond an originally planned end date, such as research, consultancy, or teaching assignments.

Legal and policy aspects vary by jurisdiction. In pension systems, earnings from continued work can influence benefit amounts or eligibility, and rules differ across programs. In professional settings, employers may facilitate Weiterarbeit through part-time arrangements, consultancy roles, or phased transitions, while still maintaining coverage and payroll status.

Economic and social implications: Weiterarbeit can help preserve institutional knowledge and reduce skill gaps, support gradual retirement, and address labor shortages. Critics caution about potential health impacts, the risk of coercion to extend work, and effects on younger workers’ advancement or wage dynamics.

See also: retirement, pension, flexible work arrangements, part-time work, Arbeitsrecht.