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The impact of work on cognition and physical disability: Evidence from English women

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Listed:
  • Banks, James
  • Cribb, Jonathan
  • Emmerson, Carl
  • Sturrock, David

Abstract

In this paper we show that remaining in work has significant positive causal effects on the average cognition and physical mobility of older women in England. We analyse a reform-induced increase in employment of 60–63-year-old women between 2010 and 2017 in England and show that working longer substantially boosts performance on two cognitive tests, particularly for single women. We also find large improvements in measures of physical disability: substantial increases in walking speed, and lower reports of mobility problems. However, for women in sedentary occupations, work reduces walking speed, due to lower levels of physical exercise.

Suggested Citation

  • Banks, James & Cribb, Jonathan & Emmerson, Carl & Sturrock, David, 2025. "The impact of work on cognition and physical disability: Evidence from English women," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:labeco:v:94:y:2025:i:c:s0927537125000545
    DOI: 10.1016/j.labeco.2025.102730
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Health; Cognition; Disability; Retirement; Social security;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • J26 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Retirement; Retirement Policies
    • H55 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Social Security and Public Pensions

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