The social, health, and occupational impacts of retirement may be perceived differently by women, due to experiences of greater social vulnerability and lack of professional recognition. The aim of the research was to analyze the perception of older women about work and retirement, and to understand the impact on their participation in labor and social issues. This is qualitative research, performed with 8 elderly women, with previous professional experience, residents of the community. Data was collected through individual interviews and in a focus group. The analysis, based on the content analysis technique, revealed four thematic categories. The work has assumed a central role throughout life, mainly by maintaining income, social participation, socialization and a positive perception of health and well-being. In pre-retirement, in addition to work, women were, above all, involved in household and religious activities. Retirement impacted on the decrease in income and, initially, did not allow participation in new occupations. Gender must be considered in government actions and in research on work and retirement in old age, in order to reduce social and occupational inequalities.Los impactos sociales, de la salud y ocupacionales de la jubilación pueden ser percibidos de manera diferente por las mujeres, debido a las experiencias de mayor vulnerabilidad social y falta de reconocimiento profesional. El objetivo de la investigación fue analizar la percepción de las mujeres mayores sobre el trabajo y la jubilación y comprender el impacto en su participación en temas laborales y de salud sociales Se trata de una investigación cualitativa, realizada con 8 mujeres mayores, con experiencia laboral previa, residentes en la comunidad. Los datos se recopilaron mediante entrevistas individuales y en un grupo focal. El análisis, basado en la técnica de análisis de contenido, reveló cuatro categorías temáticas. El trabajo ha adquirido un papel central a lo largo de la vida, principalmente por el mantenimiento de los ingresos, la participación social, la socialización y una percepción positiva de salud y bienestar. En la prejubilación, además del trabajo, las mujeres participaban principalmente en actividades domésticas y religiosas. La jubilación repercutió en la reducción de ingresos e, inicialmente, no permitió la participación en nuevas ocupaciones. El género debe ser considerado en las acciones gubernamentales y en las investigaciones sobre el trabajo y la jubilación en la vejez, con el fin de reducir las desigualdades sociales y ocupacionales.The social, health, and occupational impacts of retirement may be perceived differently by women, due to experiences of greater social vulnerability and lack of professional recognition. The aim of the research was to analyze the perception of older women about work and retirement, and to understand the impact on their participation in labor and social issues. This is qualitative research, performed with 8 elderly women, with previous professional experience, residents of the community. Data was collected through individual interviews and in a focus group. The analysis, based on the content analysis technique, revealed four thematic categories. The work has assumed a central role throughout life, mainly by maintaining income, social participation, socialization and a positive perception of health and well-being. In pre-retirement, in addition to work, women were, above all, involved in household and religious activities. Retirement impacted on the decrease in income and, initially, did not allow participation in new occupations. Gender must be considered in government actions and in research on work and retirement in old age, in order to reduce social and occupational inequalities.