International audience ; This study examined the factors that influence the retirement decision of older employees with a low occupational status in the creative industry in the Netherlands. Thirty semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted by telephone. The sample existed of employees with a low occupational status, aged 50 or above, in the creative industry in the Netherlands. All participants were member of the trade union of this industry. It was found that non-organizational factors play a more important role than organizational factors, such as HRM practices. Three key factors have been identified that might prevent older employees from retiring: a mentality change that is more welcoming towards older employees, a workplace that is highly flexible in the broadest sense of the concept, and regular open communication between the organization and its employees. The findings show that a welcoming mentality towards older employees, greater flexibility, and enhanced communication were found to strongly influence the retirement decision of older employees with a low occupational status.