Yusta Tirado, Rubén de Gea Grela, Pablo García Aguña, Sonia Fernández Roses, Daniel 2026-05-21T15:35:47Z 2026-05-21T15:35:47Z 2026-05-19 2042-8790 https://doi.org/10.1108/WWOP-03-2026-0018 Artículos en revistas . Purpose This paper aims to propose the concept of relative social aging to provide a sociological framework for understanding how aging processes are shaped by social contexts and inequalities rather than chronological age alone. Design/methodology/approach This paper develops a conceptual framework based on a narrative review of sociological and gerontological literature on aging, inequality and the life course. The approach synthesizes key theoretical contributions to articulate a relational understanding of aging trajectories. Findings The concept of relative social aging highlights how aging experiences are structured by social position, institutional arrangements and relational environments. This perspective challenges individualized and biomedicalized understandings of aging and emphasizes the role of social determinants in shaping later life outcomes. Originality/value By introducing the concept of relative social aging, this paper contributes to sociological debates on aging and inequality and provides a conceptual tool for analyzing variations in aging experiences across different social contexts. application/pdf en-GB Creative Commons Reconocimiento-NoComercial-SinObraDerivada España http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/es/ Revista: Working with Older People, Periodo: 1, Volumen: Online first, Número: , Página inicial: on-line, Página final: . Relative Social Ageing: A conceptual framework for understanding inequalities in later life info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess . Ageing, Social ageing, Social inequalities, Life course, Gerontology, Social determinants, Ageing theory, Later life