The Relationship between Job Characteristics and Retirement

44 Pages Posted: 19 Mar 2001 Last revised: 17 Dec 2022

See all articles by Michael D. Hurd

Michael D. Hurd

RAND Corporation; State University of New York at Stony Brook - College of Arts and Science - Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Kathleen M. McGarry

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Date Written: December 1993

Abstract

We study the influence of job characteristics on prospective retirement as measured by the probability of working past age 62 or 65. The characteristics fall into three broad classes: physical and mental requirements, job flexibility including employer accomodation to older workers, and financial aspects such as pensions and health care insurance. Using data from the Health and Retirement Survey, we find that physical and mental job requirements have a rather small influence on prospective retirement, whereas measures of job flexibility and financial aspects of the job are important determinants.

Suggested Citation

Hurd, Michael D. and McGarry, Kathleen M., The Relationship between Job Characteristics and Retirement (December 1993). NBER Working Paper No. w4558, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=253131

Michael D. Hurd (Contact Author)

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Kathleen M. McGarry

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