New Lessons for Understanding Retirement and Employment Transitions in Later Life Dr Brian Beach Senior Research Fellow International Longevity Centre – UK

ILC-UK Planning Tomorrow, Today Westminster based think tank Evidence-based research organisation Experts in ageing, demography and longevity Focused on policy Independent and well-respected Affiliated with University College London Partners Programme, including Newcastle University, Prudential, EY Well-networked – ILC Global Alliance

The ILC Global Alliance

The Missing Million series Explored the challenges related to work in later life Report 1 highlighted the degree of ‘involuntarily joblessness’ and willingness to work among 50-64 Report 2 discussed labour market transitions of those 50-64 and outlined some of the primary barriers they face Report 3 presented recommendations for action for policy and business, informed by two roundtables

New Research on Work in Later Life Uncertain Futures: Managing Late Career Transitions and Extended Working Life renEWL: Research on Extending Working Lives

New Research: Uncertain Futures Explored the evidence for new “late career transitions” in England, comparing this with the US Looked at the impact of life course factors on these transitions Asked how extended working lives were constructed in the workplace, in terms of practices, training, human resources, and occupational health through in-depth interviews in five sectors

Uncertain Futures: Evidence for New Late Career Transitions Little evidence that people are shifting from full-time to part-time work as they approach retirement Gender differences: women typically did not work at all or worked part-time before retirement “Bridge” employment – un-retirement or moves into PT work or self-employment – is not common Volunteering was only associated with PT work Access to flexible work opportunities in later life is limited Cliff-edge retirement remains the norm

Uncertain Futures: Life Course Factors Those who face adversities during childhood – e.g. abuse, neglect – face diminished employment prospects in later life Early exit due to long-term illness (3x at age 55) Psychological health issues in adulthood increase risk of early exit by age 55, with risk increasing with frequency In men, also increased likelihood of PT work at 55 Interventions to improve employment in later life may be required across the life course and target at-risk groups Flexible (PT) work may be particularly important for helping those with mental health concerns to stay in work in later life

Uncertain Futures: Employee and Manager Views Industrial sector and pension entitlement (i.e. type) influence expectations of retirement timing Abolition of mandatory retirement has reduced the management of retirement over fears of discrimination Affordability is a major factor in when workers expect to retire, promoting early retirement and working up to SPA Poor health is sometimes hidden for fears of losing work (and unable to afford losing it), while the fear of future ill health among those fit encouraged earlier retirement Flexible working arrangements are limited outside admin/offices Ageism: little overt, but ‘lookism’ and internal ageism

New Research: renEWL Explored how working conditions and socioeconomic background influence extended working lives Looked at the impact of earlier life course circumstances and lifestyle patterns on later work experiences Three domains: Working conditions and occupational group Health Caring responsibilities and family structure

renEWL: Working Conditions and Occupational Group Managers/professionals and lower non-manual workers more likely to work past SPA than elementary workers Mainly through physical workload and work-time control Preferences and actual exit: Higher levels of job control and autonomy (later P and AE) Sense that work not recognised (early P and AE) High psychosocial job demand (early P but not AE) Area (higher unemployment in 2011) influences early exit in 2011 Health: only true for good health

renEWL: Health Psychological distress at any time in adulthood increases likelihood of unemployment at age 55 True also for anxiety or depression in childhood (plus risk of permanent illness) Those with highest 10% cognitive health at age 53 more likely to be in bridge employment at ages 60-69 Also for physical health and volunteering Physical limitations also associated with negative reason for exit Midlife health behaviours shape later life employment Men: smoking, heavy drinking – and exit more likely re: health Women: heavy drinking, poor diet

renEWL: Caring Responsibilities and Family Structure The onset of informal caring leads to early exit among women Also true for men giving care within the household Becoming a carer is related to changes in health behaviours for those with poorer psychosocial working conditions Increased alcohol consumption for those with low decision latitude (job control) or in low occupational group More likely to quit smoking if job demands low or high support at work Early and mid-adulthood family circumstance influence work in later life Parenthood in early adulthood: men less likely to be FT after 60 Partnered women in mid-adulthood more likely to be PT or HM

Policy Implications Inequality is prominent throughout many areas of the fuller working lives agenda. Current systems and structures are not sufficient to provide everyone a fair chance of working into later life. Interventions and support to encourage work in later life must not be left until late adulthood. A life course approach is needed, particularly in mental health. Physical health is important, but it is not everything. Mental health, but also working conditions and psychosocial factors For policies on EWL to succeed, they must include more than work Health, family, geography, lifestyles, caring…

Many thanks! Dr Brian Beach Senior Research Fellow International Longevity Centre – UK (ILC-UK) brianbeach@ilcuk.org.uk +44 20 7340 0440 Twitter: @ilcuk