The Effects of Retirement on Physical and Mental Health Outcomes

47 Pages Posted: 29 Oct 2007

See all articles by Dhaval Dave

Dhaval Dave

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) - NY Office; Bentley University - Department of Economics

Inas Kelly

Loyola Marymount University; National Bureau of Economic Research

Jasmina Spasojevic

Trinity College (Hartford CT); Metropolitan College of New York - School for Public Affairs and Administration

Multiple version iconThere are 3 versions of this paper

Date Written: October 2007

Abstract

While numerous studies have examined how health affects retirement behavior, few have analyzed the impact of retirement on subsequent health outcomes. This study estimates the effects of retirement on health status as measured by indicators of physical and functional limitations, illness conditions, and depression. The empirics are based on seven longitudinal waves of the Health and Retirement Study, spanning 1992 through 2005. To account for biases due to unobserved selection and endogeneity, panel data methodologies are used. These are augmented by counterfactual and specification checks to gauge the robustness and plausibility of the estimates. Results indicate that complete retirement leads to a 5-16 percent increase in difficulties associated with mobility and daily activities, a 5-6 percent increase in illness conditions, and 6-9 percent decline in mental health, over an average post-retirement period of six years. Models indicate that the effects tend to operate through lifestyle changes including declines in physical activity and social interactions. The adverse health effects are mitigated if the individual is married and has social support, continues to engage in physical activity post-retirement, or continues to work part-time upon retirement. Some evidence also suggests that the adverse effects of retirement on health may be larger in the event of involuntary retirement. With an aging population choosing to retire at earlier ages, both Social Security and Medicare face considerable shortfalls. Eliminating the embedded incentives in public and private pension plans, which discourage work beyond some point, and enacting policies that prolong the retirement age may be desirable, ceteris paribus. Retiring at a later age may lessen or postpone poor health outcomes for older adults, raise wellbeing, and reduce the utilization of health care services, particularly acute care.

Suggested Citation

Dave, Dhaval and Dave, Dhaval and Kelly, Inas and Spasojevic, Jasmina, The Effects of Retirement on Physical and Mental Health Outcomes (October 2007). Andrew Young School of Policy Studies Research Paper Series No. 07-35, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1024475 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1024475

Dhaval Dave (Contact Author)

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) - NY Office

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Bentley University - Department of Economics ( email )

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Inas Kelly

Loyola Marymount University ( email )

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National Bureau of Economic Research ( email )

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Jasmina Spasojevic

Trinity College (Hartford CT) ( email )

300 Summit Street
Hartford, CT 06106
United States

Metropolitan College of New York - School for Public Affairs and Administration ( email )

75 Varick Street
New York, NY 10013
United States

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