This book provides a unique collection of chapters by authors who are committed to explore and improve our understanding of social class dynamics in later life. It focuses on the interface between social class and the latter stages of the life course, analysing why class relations remain an integral part of persons’ lives even after they exit the labour market following either voluntary or mandatory retirement, and as they experience those life transitions associated with old age. The chapters document the widespread differences in resources available to various subgroups of older people, and how such variances in social, cultural and physical capital impact identities and lifestyles in later life. Focusing its attention on various spheres of class analysis, it provides the most up-to-date collection of new and emerging research relevant to emerging debates on the relationship between social class, power and ageing.

This collection of chapters arose from the editors’ long-standing interest in the impact of social class on the quality of life of older people. Its genesis can be located in a symposium titled ‘Theorising Social Class in Later Life: Power, Identity and Lifestyle’ that the editors convened during the 19th World Congress on Gerontology and Geriatrics of the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics in July 2009 in Paris, France. This meeting generated so much interest that a follow-up symposium took place during the subsequent 20th Congress in June 2013 in Seoul, South Korea – as well as during the 2013 British Sociological Association Annual Conference (convened by Ian Rees Jones). These symposia included presentations by the convenors plus Martin Hyde, Kate Davidson, Trish Hafford-Letchfield and Christina Victor. The editors also take the opportunity here to thank a whole host of people who, in casual conversation and in more earnest dialogue, have influenced the direction and content of this book, as well as the contributors of chapters, all of whom respected deadlines and embraced various positive criticisms. Special gratitude goes to Malcolm Johnson who, for more than a decade, demonstrated unwavering support for the realisation of such a project, to Alison Shaw and Rebecca Tomlinson at The Policy Press for their production support, and to the independent reviewers who provided endorsements for the book.