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The Effects of Retirement on Physical and Mental Health Outcomes

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Author Info
Dhaval Dave () (Department of Economics, Bentley College and National Bureau of Economic Research, 175 Forest Street, AAC 195, Waltham, MA 02452-4705, USA)
R. Inas Rashad () (Department of Economics, Georgia State University & National Bureau of Economic Research, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, P.O. Box 3992, Atlanta, GA 30302-3992, USA)
Jasmina Spasojevic () (Department of Public Affairs, Metropolitan College, School for Public Affairs and Administration, 75 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013, USA)

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Abstract

While numerous studies have examined how health affects retirement, few have analyzed the impact in the reverse direction. Using the Health and Retirement Study (1992–2005), this paper estimates the effects of retirement on indicators of physical and mental health. To account for biases from unobserved selection and endogeneity, panel data methodologies are used, augmented by counterfactual and specification checks. Results indicate that complete retirement leads to a 5–14% increase in difficulties associated with mobility and daily activities, 4–6% increase in illnesses, and 6–9% decline in mental health (evaluated relative to the sample mean). The adverse health effects are mitigated if the individual is married, engages in physical activity, or continues to work part-time post-retirement. Evidence also suggests larger adverse health effects in the event of involuntary retirement. Retiring at a later age may lessen or postpone poor health outcomes for older adults, raise well-being, and reduce health care services utilization.

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Publisher Info
Article provided by Southern Economic Association in its journal Southern Economic Journal.

Volume (Year): 75 (2008)
Issue (Month): 2 (October)
Pages: 497-523
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Handle: RePEc:sej:ancoec:v:75:2:y:2008:p:497-523

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Find related papers by JEL classification:
I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Production
J26 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Retirement; Retirement Policies

References listed on IDEAS
Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:

  1. Grossman, Michael, 1972. "On the Concept of Health Capital and the Demand for Health," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 80(2), pages 223-55, March-Apr. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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  4. Kathleen McGarry, 2004. "Health and Retirement: Do Changes in Health Affect Retirement Expectations?," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 39(3). [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  5. Dwyer, Debra Sabatini & Mitchell, Olivia S., 1999. "Health problems as determinants of retirement: Are self-rated measures endogenous?," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 18(2), pages 173-193, April. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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  6. Barsky, Robert B, et al, 1997. "Preference Parameters and Behavioral Heterogeneity: An Experimental Approach in the Health and Retirement Study," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, MIT Press, vol. 112(2), pages 537-79, May.
  7. Jill Quadagno & Joseph Quinn, 1996. "Does Social Security Discourage Work?," Boston College Working Papers in Economics 322., Boston College Department of Economics. [Downloadable!]
  8. J. Fitzgerald & P. Gottschalk & R. Moffitt, . "An Analysis of Sample Attrition in Panel Data: The Michigan Panel Study of Income Dynamics," Institute for Research on Poverty Discussion Papers 1156-98, University of Wisconsin Institute for Research on Poverty. [Downloadable!]
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  9. Susan L. Ettner & Richard G. Frank & Ronald C. Kessler, 1997. "The Impact of psychiatric disorders on labor market outcomes," Industrial and Labor Relations Review, ILR Review, ILR School, Cornell University, vol. 51(1), pages 64-81, October.
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  11. Jonathan Gruber & David Wise, 2005. "Social Security Programs and Retirement around the World: Fiscal Implications, Introduction and Summary," NBER Working Papers 11290, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  12. Susan L. Ettner & Richard G. Frank & Ronald C. Kessler, 1997. "The Impact of Psychiatric Disorders on Labor Market Outcomes," NBER Working Papers 5989, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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Cited by:
(explanations, Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.)

  1. Andrew E. Clark & Yarine Fawaz, 2009. "Valuing jobs via retirement: European evidence," PSE Working Papers 2009-18, PSE (Ecole normale supérieure). [Downloadable!]
  2. Behncke, S, 2009. "How Does Retirement Affect Health?," Health, Econometrics and Data Group (HEDG) Working Papers 09/11, HEDG, c/o Department of Economics, University of York. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  3. Kevin Neuman, 2008. "Quit Your Job and Get Healthier? The Effect of Retirement on Health," Journal of Labor Research, Springer, vol. 29(2), pages 177-201, June. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  4. James Marton & Stephen A. Woodbury, 2009. "Retiree Health Benefits and the Decision to Retire," Staff Working Papers 09-149, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  5. Nick Drydakis, . "Sexual Orientation, Demography and Labor Relations," Working Papers 0906, University of Crete, Department of Economics. [Downloadable!]
  6. Sandrine Levasseur, 2008. "Progrès technologique et employabilité des seniors," Documents de Travail de l'OFCE 2008-16, Observatoire Francais des Conjonctures Economiques (OFCE). [Downloadable!]
  7. John Bound & Timothy Waidmann, 2007. "Estimating the Health Effects of Retirements," Working Papers wp168, University of Michigan, Michigan Retirement Research Center. [Downloadable!]
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