1. © BC Center for Work & Family 2008 Physical and Mental Health as Factors in Retirement Decisions Jacquelyn B. James & Avron Spiro Boston College Center for Work & Family Boston University A paper prepared for presentation at the Ann Richards Invitational Roundtable on Gender and the Media Older Workers: Benefits and Obstacles for Men & Women’s Continued Employment October 24, 2008 Support for this project was provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

2. © BC Center for Work & Family 2008 Study Characteristics Health and Retirement Survey Data, Waves 1-6, 1992-2002 Age 51-61 at first wave 47% male; 53% female 79% white; 17% black; 4% other 65% high school or less education; 37% some college+ 76% married; 14% separated or divorced; 6% widowed

3. © BC Center for Work & Family 2008 The Psychological Impact of Retirement (James & Spiro, 2007) Participants who were working (either full or part time) or retired part-time were less depressed than those who had completely retired Depression appeared to precede retirement; depressive symptoms increased the likelihood of retirement from one wave to the next Change in work status predicted change in depressive symptoms

4. © BC Center for Work & Family 2008 The Research Questions 1)Does work status in later life predict self-rated health (SRH)? 2)Does poor SRH make it more likely that retirement will occur? 3)Does change in work status predict change in SRH? 4)Does change in SRH predict change in work status?

5. © BC Center for Work & Family 2008 Self-rated Health (SRH) in the HRS How would you rate your health? 1=poor 2=fair 3=good 4=very good 5=excellent

6. © BC Center for Work & Family 2008 Defining Work Status Working full time Working part time Retired part time Fully Retired Unemployed No labor force participation Disabled

7. © BC Center for Work & Family 2008 Results 1) Across all waves of the data, both men and women who were working full time were in better physical health than those who had completely retired.

8. © BC Center for Work & Family 2008 Physical Health as a Function of Work Status

9. © BC Center for Work & Family 2008 Physical Health as a Function of Work Status

10. © BC Center for Work & Family 2008 Results 2 ) Poor physical health appears to precede retirement; even very good health (as opposed to excellent health) increases the likelihood of retirement.

11. © BC Center for Work & Family 2008 Results 3) Change in self-rated health predicts change in work status  People whose SRH increased from one wave to the next were less likely to retire

12. © BC Center for Work & Family 2008 Results 4) Change in work status from one wave to the next predicts change in SRH  People who continued work at both waves had better SRH than those who transitioned from work to retirement, but did not differ from those who went back to work after retirement.

13. © BC Center for Work & Family 2008 Conclusions  Work or other structured activity in later life seems to be good for mental and physical health  The ability to continue work past traditional retirement ages is more important than ever in light of the current financial situation  The challenge seems to be sustaining employment i.e., convincing employers of the value of the older worker

14. © BC Center for Work & Family 2008 Thank you! Comments/Questions? jamesjc@bc.edu