Aim: The aim of this study was to explore and understand the complexity of ageing in relation to factors of importance for extending working life. Method: Discourse analysis of documents was used in an integrative review including 128 articles. Result: Four different conceptualisation of ageing are shown to affect older workers’ ability to extend their working life: (a) biological ageing people’s health in relation to their physical and mental work environment, their pace of work and recuperation needs; (b) chronological ageing statutory retirement age and policies and economic incentives devised for older workers by society, unions and organisations/enterprises; (c) social ageing inclusion in different social groups, the attitude of managers, organisations and family members, the leisure activities and surrounding environment; and (d) mental/cognitive ageing self-crediting, motivating and meaningful activities, competence and skills in working life. Conclusions: Societies today focus mostly on chronological ageing and are looking to increase the retirement age with regard to statutory pension systems, e.g. beyond 65 years of age. The inter-relationships between chronological, mental, biological and social ageing and the nine areas identified as being important to older workers in these respects need to be considered when aiming to provide a sustainable working life for the increasing numbers of older workers in modern society. The theoretical model developed is a contribution to the critical debate that can be applied by societies, employers and managers in order to provide older workers with an inclusive and sustainable extended working life.
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