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Gender difference in the impact of retirement on cognitive abilities: Evidence from urban China

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  • Lei, Xiaoyan
  • Liu, Hong

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of retirement on cognitive functioning by gender in urban China and investigates the underlying mechanisms. Based on data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, the paper uses the mandatory retirement ages and different policy enforcement between the public and private sectors as instruments for retirement status. The analysis finds substantial gender heterogeneity in the effect of retirement on cognition, with a positive and significant effect for males, but a negative and less significant effect for females. The beneficial effects on cognition are stronger for male blue-collar workers, who are likely to pursue a more active lifestyle at retirement. Further investigation shows that the results are partly driven by differential behavioral changes at retirement, and the gender difference in retirement ages may also play a potential role.

Suggested Citation

  • Lei, Xiaoyan & Liu, Hong, 2018. "Gender difference in the impact of retirement on cognitive abilities: Evidence from urban China," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 46(4), pages 1425-1446.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jcecon:v:46:y:2018:i:4:p:1425-1446
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jce.2018.01.005
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    3. Zang, Emma, 2020. "Spillover effects of a husband's retirement on a woman's health: Evidence from urban China," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).
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    6. Sha Sha & Sunny H. W. Chan & Lin Chen & Yuebin Xu & Yao Pan, 2022. "The Association between Trajectories of Loneliness and Physical Frailty in Chinese Older Adults: Does Age Matter?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-12, April.
    7. Peng Nie & Yan Li & Lanlin Ding & Alfonso Sousa-Poza, 2021. "Housing Poverty and Healthy Aging in China: Evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-20, September.
    8. Wang, Tianyu & Sun, Ruochen & Sindelar, Jody L. & Chen, Xi, 2023. "Occupational Differences in the Effects of Retirement on Hospitalizations for Mental Illness among Female Workers: Evidence from Administrative Data in China," IZA Discussion Papers 16545, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    9. Chen, Xi, 2022. "The impact of spousal and own retirement on health: Evidence from urban China," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    10. Koryu Sato & Haruko Noguchi, 2023. "Impact of Retirement on Health: Evidence from 35 Countries," Working Papers 2301, Waseda University, Faculty of Political Science and Economics.
    11. Yingying Zhang & Steve Bradley & Robert Crouchley, 2023. "Gender Differences in the Effect of Retirement Duration on Cognitive Functioning," Working Papers 379420912, Lancaster University Management School, Economics Department.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Cognitive abilities; Retirement; Retirement age; Gender difference; China;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • J26 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Retirement; Retirement Policies
    • J14 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of the Elderly; Economics of the Handicapped; Non-Labor Market Discrimination
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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