Objective: Job loss has a demonstrated negative impact on physical and mental health. Involuntary retirement has also been linked to poorer physical and mental health outcomes. This study examined whether late-career unemployment is related to involuntary retirement and health declines postretirement. Method: Analysis was conducted using the 2000-2012 U.S. Health and Retirement Study (HRS) survey data with unemployment months regressed with demographic and baseline health measures on physical and mental health. Results: Individuals with late-career unemployment reported more involuntary retirement timing (47.0%) compared with those reporting no unemployment (27.9%). Late-career unemployment had no significant effect on self-reported physical health (β = .003, p = .84), but was significantly associated with lower levels of mental health (β = .039; p < .01). Conclusion: Self-reports of late-career unemployment are not associated with physical health in retirement, but unemployment is associated with involuntary retirement timing and mental health declines in retirement. Unemployment late in the working career should be addressed as a public mental health concern.

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Paid work as a form of occupational engagement is an activity pattern that shifts both during unemployment and during retirement. In cases where the retirement is involuntary, it constitutes a form of lost work opportunity similar to unemployment. Occupational engagement is a necessary element of health and wellness generally, and accordingly lost work opportunity and the occupational deprivations it incurs have demonstrated negative effects on individual level well-being. Unemployment and involuntary retirement have both been linked to poorer physical and mental health outcomes. This paper analyzes work transitions during the pre-and post-retirement years to gain perspective on the challenges of occupational deprivation that might compromise health. A total of 24 retired individuals with late-career unemployment were interviewed at the Huntsman World Senior Games in October 2016 and demographic data was collected. Interviews were analyzed for relevant themes utilizing Braun and Clarke's (2006) approach to thematic analysis and interpretations were evaluated against existing theory. Results revealed that 1/6 of individuals with unemployment just prior to retirement did not classify this work displacement as unemployment. Themes identified included struggle, freedom, and transition, followed by resilience and a return to well-being, with mental health levels reported at national averages for the age group. Choice and autonomy in the retirement years contributed to the noted resilience. Concepts of productivity and meaningful engagement shift during the retirement years toward wellness derived from purposeful activity suggesting occupational models may need to reconsider concepts of productivity and purpose for this age group.

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