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

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  • 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.

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  • 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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    1. Jack Britton & Eric French, 2020. "Health and Employment amongst Older Workers," Fiscal Studies, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 41(1), pages 221-250, March.
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    3. Carl Emmerson & Jonathan Cribb & Laurence O'Brien, 2022. "The effect of increasing the state pension age to 66 on labour market activity," IFS Working Papers W07/22, Institute for Fiscal Studies.

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    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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