This article characterizes work during old age in the stage before the diffusion of retirement pensions. Based on qualitative information and population census data, it analyzes the labor activity of this age class by sex, origin, place of residence, and literacy in the Argentine context in the late 19th and early 20th century. The results of this research show that the reduction of work was influenced by the type of activity, que por demás which was also earlier in the cities and en los extranjeros among foreigners and began before the generalization of retirement pensions, thanks to the long-term increase in the standards of living and savings among the population.