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Technology and retirement

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Listed:
  • Nikolova, Milena
  • Angelini, Viola

Abstract

As populations age, longer working careers become more essential, and technological advancements may prolong or shorten career spans. We examine how exposure to industrial robots, information and communication technology (ICT), and artificial intelligence (AI) relate to retirement expectations among workers in 20 European countries. To this end, we link individual-level data from the European Working Conditions Survey (2005-2024) with lagged technology-exposure measures. Technology exposure shows li[le systematic association with preferred retirement timing. Nevertheless, robots and especially AI are linked to the perception of being able to work until age 60. These associations vary across workers and tasks, suggesting that job design and worker adaptation determine whether technology supports longer working lives.

Suggested Citation

  • Nikolova, Milena & Angelini, Viola, 2026. "Technology and retirement," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1813, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:glodps:1813
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • J26 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Retirement; Retirement Policies
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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