MEMIS

Overview of the Research

The Making Ends Meet in Spain (MEMIS), inspired by the Mobile Welfare, is an interdisciplinary project that studies ageing as a social phenomenon, examining how public policy, economic conditions, welfare systems, social support, and family dynamics influence the process. To gain deeper insights into this complex dynamic, the study combines macro and micro perspectives and introduces new primary data collection through case studies in Spain. This research aims to clarify the relationship between migration and welfare, examining whether British retirees in Spain experience improved protection or face exclusion.

Research Questions

How ageing alters the structure and functioning of key social institutions (e.g., the family, the labour market, and welfare systems)? What factors exacerbate or mitigate the impacts of ageing? What is the relationship between ageing and migration? (“delayed plan”, financial reasons, health advantages). To what extent does receiving a limited state pension influence the decision to emigrate after retirement? How does the transferability of state pensions influence and impact emigration? What are the perceived advantages and disadvantages of potential destination places? And, finally, does retirement emigration create a new form of transnationalism or contribute to an existing one?

Context of the Research

Many countries, such as the UK, struggle with ageing populations, often leading to adjustments in pension systems. However, some UK residents have emigrated abroad to make ends meet for longer. Despite Brexit, in the European Union, Spain has long been a popular destination for older British migrants, including retirees. According to the Office for National Statistics, approximately 784,900 British citizens reside in the European Union (excluding Ireland), of whom 18% are aged 65 or older. Spain has the largest share, with about 293,500 UK nationals (69%), followed by France with 152,900 (19%) of the UK nationals in the European Union (ONS, 2023).

The considerable number of British nationals living in Spain is a significant migration phenomenon that reflects broader social issues. The decision to pursue a ‘place in the sun’ after retirement may reflect hopes for a better quality of life and well-being. Recent UK government policies have significantly impacted areas such as healthcare, welfare, and pensions. For instance, after the government made cuts to winter fuel payments, it is estimated that 10 million pensioners in England and Wales will no longer have winter fuel payments. As the lifespan in the UK has increased in recent years, driven by changes in government policies, many Brits were attracted by a perceived better quality of life and the appeal of a Mediterranean climate in Spain. It is seen that Spain offers a lower cost of living when compared to the UK, a warmer climate with mild winters, increasing English-language services, easy and relatively cheap travel connections to and from the UK, and the ability to receive their UK state pension, with yearly increases given to those living in the European Economic Area (EEA), which is not available to those living in non-EEA countries without a social security agreement with the UK.

Theoretical Frameworks

Examining the interplay of ageing, health, state pension policies, and migration is complex. The concept of transnationalism emerged from the work of Glick Schiller and colleagues, focusing on immigrants maintaining or creating connections between their home and host countries. Their research primarily examined the lives of immigrants living in another country while maintaining and/or creating ties with the country of origin (Glick Schiller, Basch and Blanc-Szanton 1992). In recent years, the trend of individuals planning retirements abroad has grown, often driven by foreseen financial constraints after retirement. Retirement emigration has both direct and indirect critical effects on the pension systems in sending countries and on the public healthcare systems in receiving countries (OECD, 2018). While migration at an older age can positively impact well-being (Akdede and Giovanis, 2020), public pensions play a crucial role in determining the living conditions of elderly individuals, significantly affecting their overall well-being and health (Kuitto et al., 2021).

Research has shown that while the effects may be short-lived, differences in European healthcare systems, with gatekeeping, contribute to retirees having a more active lifestyle in Mediterranean countries, namely Spain and Italy. This, in turn, influences their overall health after retirement (Celidoni & Rebba, 2017). Although the number of British citizens living in Spain is uncertain, with some holding dual or multiple European citizenships, approximately 117,000 British pensioners receive UK state pensions while living in Spain (Hall, 2023). Research has shown that the ties British retirees in southern Spain to the UK eroded over time, largely due to health issues and declining ability to travel frequently (Oliver, 2016). As the world changes rapidly, theoretical debates need to be expanded to explore the determinants and intersections of these social variables, advancing the sociological dimensions of ageing. An interdisciplinary approach is needed to further understand how the intersection of ageing, state pensions, and migration impacts the well-being and health of retirees, not limited to UK residents who have emigrated to Spain.

Methodology

This study employs a mixed-methods approach to collect and triangulate data. The primary research methods include face-to-face interviews with participants in selected Spanish cities. These interviews will explore the underlying causes of emigration after retirement from the UK and the factors influencing the choice of destination. Additionally, the research involves extensive documentary analysis, using government statistics and information from non-governmental organisations to illuminate current immigration trends. Qualitative data will be analysed using NVivo software, focusing on identifying patterns through a continuous two-way dialectical process, or ‘flip-flop’, between data and theory (Becker and Bryman, 2004). Although the study is predominantly qualitative, quantitative data will also be analysed using Excel and/or SPSS software, as appropriate. Operating independently yet complementarily (Flick, 2014), the data will be triangulated to strengthen the analysis and achieve ‘conceptual depth’ (Schram, 2003). As expected, this study will adhere to ethical guidelines to ensure the well-being of all research participants.

Outcomes

The primary outcome of this fellowship will be the publication of peer-reviewed articles in relevant academic journals. Additionally, I plan to deliver public lectures on this topic, primarily in the UK and Spain, which may also attract media attention. To reach a wider audience, I intend to disseminate my work through online platforms such as Academia.edu, ResearchGate, the University of Warwick website, and a dedicated website featuring key information about this research project. I aim to present this study at conferences organised by institutions such as the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) and at the annual conference of the British Sociological Association (BSA), of which I am a member. The ultimate goal of this study is to develop a successful research portfolio that will enable me to expand this project into a longitudinal study.