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The Influence of Household Pension Wealth, Partner’s Health and Spousal Employment Status on Heterogeneous Early Retirement Transitions among Women in England

Author

Listed:
  • Jennifer Prattley

    (The University of Manchester, UK)

  • Tarani Chandola

    (The University of Manchester, UK)

Abstract

Continued employment in later life is important for economic well-being and health, and is a key policy issue. However, existing models of the determinants of extended working life do not provide a detailed account of coupled women’s early retirement patterns in the United Kingdom. This article uses data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing to show that partnered women aged between 50 and 59 do not adjust the timing of their labour force exit according to the level of pension wealth the couple has accrued. A retired or inactive spouse, caring obligations and poor health accelerate employment exit. Moreover, the odds of an involuntary exit from the labour force, where women have limited control or choice over the timing, are higher for women in lower pension wealth households than those in high wealth families, and among women with inactive rather than retired partners.

Suggested Citation

  • Jennifer Prattley & Tarani Chandola, 2021. "The Influence of Household Pension Wealth, Partner’s Health and Spousal Employment Status on Heterogeneous Early Retirement Transitions among Women in England," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 35(1), pages 57-77, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:35:y:2021:i:1:p:57-77
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017020906358
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Tinh Doan & Cathy Banwell & Liana Leach & Lyndall Strazdins, 2024. "Health selection, family division of labour and labour market participation of migrant and Australian born couples," Journal of Population Research, Springer, vol. 41(2), pages 1-38, June.

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