The Influence of Specific Physical Health Conditions on Retirement Decisions

International Journal of Aging and Human Development, Vol. 65(2) 149-161, 2007

13 Pages Posted: 5 Aug 2015

See all articles by Kenneth Shultz

Kenneth Shultz

California State University, San Bernardino

Mo Wang

University of Florida - Department of Management

Date Written: September 2007

Abstract

Physical health has consistently been shown to strongly influence the retirement decision-making process. Unfortunately, “physical health” is typically operationalized in global terms. As a result, we know little about the specific aspects of physical health that influence the decision to retire. Therefore, in the present study, data from three waves of the Americans' Changing Lives (ACL) data set was examined to determine which specific health conditions are associated with retirement, continued work in the same job, or continued work but in a different job. The major health conditions most strongly related to retirement were lung disease and cancer, while only lung disease was predictive of job change at older ages. In contrast, arthritis and diabetes were the minor health conditions most strongly related to both changing jobs and retiring over an eight-year period. The results are discussed in terms of the importance of better understanding why specific health factors are associated with retirement and job changes during one's late career.

Suggested Citation

Shultz, Kenneth and Wang, Mo, The Influence of Specific Physical Health Conditions on Retirement Decisions (September 2007). International Journal of Aging and Human Development, Vol. 65(2) 149-161, 2007, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2639766

Kenneth Shultz

California State University, San Bernardino ( email )

5500 University Parkway
San Bernardino, CA 92407
United States

Mo Wang (Contact Author)

University of Florida - Department of Management ( email )

United States

Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?

Paper statistics

Downloads
16
Abstract Views
380
PlumX Metrics