Aging people are increasingly encouraged to be active citizens by staying in the workforce as long as possible – taken as the principal social integration mechanism. However, to the extent that citizenship remains a critical aspect of old age activation policies, how do elderly women exiting the workforce experience citizenship, thus construct their relationship to the social world? Drawing on narrative research data (life stories), this article examines day-to-day activation practices amongst women having exited “active life,” that is, paid work. We first establish a profile of day-to-day activities, grouped into various activation poles, which illustrate contrasting figures of “active” women. Two poles in particular retain our attention, namely those of care and civic participation, by exploring their reconfiguration when exiting a carrier and moving into retirement. We then elaborate on the meaning and purpose underpinning activity, and conclude by reflecting on the socio-political and gender issues raised by a citizenship grounded on a day-to-day perspective.