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The Labor-Force Participation of Older Workers

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  • James E. Duggan

Abstract

This study examines the decision to participate in the labor force made by persons over 54 years of age. Through the use of a set of pooled time-series cross-section observations from the Current Population Survey over the years 1974 – 80, the analysis emphasizes the effect of two factors on this decision: cohort crowding and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The empirical results reveal that pressures arising from the relative growth in the youth population led to increased labor market activity by older women; that retirement incentives in the form of SSI and social security had a negative effect on female as well as male labor-force behavior, though the effects were considerably stronger for men; and that the differential between men's and women's participation rates was largely a result of the female response to marital status and retirement incentives.

Suggested Citation

  • James E. Duggan, 1984. "The Labor-Force Participation of Older Workers," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 37(3), pages 416-430, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ilrrev:v:37:y:1984:i:3:p:416-430
    DOI: 10.1177/001979398403700307
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Grant, James H & Hamermesh, Daniel S, 1981. "Labor Market Competition among Youths, White Women and Others," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 63(3), pages 354-360, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. C Machado & Miguel Portela, 2014. "Hours of work and retirement behaviour," IZA Journal of European Labor Studies, Springer;Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit GmbH (IZA), vol. 3(1), pages 1-22, December.
    2. Mary Daly & Richard V. Burkhauser, 2003. "The Supplemental Security Income Program," NBER Chapters, in: Means-Tested Transfer Programs in the United States, pages 79-140, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Dale S. Bremmer & Randy Kesselring, 2018. "How Social Security’s Earning Test, Age and Education Affect Female Labor Supply," Atlantic Economic Journal, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 46(4), pages 357-377, December.

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