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Social Capital, Retirement and Cognitive Aging: Evidence from a Japanese longitudinal study

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  • Meng ZHAO
  • Ting YIN

Abstract

Beyond the natural cognitive decline that accompanies aging, a growing body of research suggests that social capital can influence this process, particularly after retirement. This study investigates the interplay among social capital, retirement, and cognitive function. Using longitudinal Japanese data from 2007, 2009 and 2011, we assess three cognitive domains - orientation to time and place, short-term memory, and calculation ability - and examine how they can be affected by working status and social capital, proxied by participation in social activities and the size of one’s friendship network. The major findings of this study are: (1) the cognitive effects of retirement appear to be complex and dynamic; and (2) social capital and employment interact with each other, with regular participation in social activities playing a protective role in cognitive aging.

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  • Meng ZHAO & Ting YIN, 2025. "Social Capital, Retirement and Cognitive Aging: Evidence from a Japanese longitudinal study," Discussion papers 25094, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    • Handle: RePEc:eti:dpaper:25094
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