The Effects of Retirement on Physical and Mental Health Outcomes

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 well-being, and reduce the utilization of health care services, particularly acute care.

The effects of increasing the normal retirement age on health care utilization and mortality

“…The net effect of retirement on mental health is also difficult to predict. Retirement might have a positive impact on mental health through increased sleep duration (Eibich 2015;Vahtera et al 2009) and diminished work stress (Midanik et al 1995) but could also increase social isolation and depression (Börsch-Supan and Schuth 2014; Dave et al 2008;Heller-Sahlgren 2017). Even though these papers differ along several important dimensions, such as the population being studied, health outcomes and empirical methodology, these contrasting results are also likely to stem from the lack of convincing empirical strategies to deal with endogenous selection into retirement.…”

The Determinants of Happiness in Indonesia

“…Singer et al (1999) said decreasing in health with increasing age do not make someone unhappy because of mental maturity. Someone that become unemployed may have decrease in health and it becomes worst for non-volunteer (Dave et al, 2008).…”

The Effect of Income, Health, Education, and Social Capital on Happiness in Indonesia

“…7;2016 77 increase of age does not make someone unhappy because of mental maturity. Someone that becomes unemployed may have decrease in health and it becomes worst for non-volunteer (Dave, Rashad, & Jasmina, 2008).…”