Lost Work Opportunity Score Predicts Health in Retirement

Objectives Under-reporting of unemployment or forced retirement has consequences for measuring the impacts of job changes on health at retirement. We analyzed a comprehensive three-part measure of lost work opportunity for evidence of impact on health. Methods We combined variables from the Health and Retirement Study for 2,576 respondents assessing unemployment, forced retirement, and earlier than planned retirement into a single lost work opportunity score (LOS). We evaluated the reliability and unidimensionality of the LOS. We conducted multivariate regression to assess health impacts controlling for age, gender, education, race, ethnicity, and prior health status. Results The Cronbach’s Alpha for the LOS was a = 0.76 and the LOS variables primarily loaded onto a single component demonstrating undimensionality. The LOS significantly predicted self-reported health (⃞ = .16; p < .001) with higher lost work associated with negative health outcomes (Cox and Snell R2 = 0.07). The LOS score significantly predicted mental health declines (⃞ = .07; p = .002)(Cox and Snell R2 = 0.07). Discussion Population-level data indicates that health declines following both unemployment and retirement, but there is ample evidence that early or planned retirements do not show the same negative health impacts. We examined the health impact of retirement using the construct of lost work opportunity rather than voluntary or involuntary retirement, per se. Our findings indicate that as much as 7% of negative health changes in the early retirement years could be attributable to employment changes that were unplanned or experienced as outside the retiree's control.

The Interplay Between Retirement Transition Sequences and Mental Health: Focusing on Gender Differences

Although retirement has been given a substantial amount of attention, there are gaps in the literature on 1) the various forms of retirement (nature= voluntary/involuntary, timing= early/ late, type= full/ partial) using with previous employment history, and 2) gender differences in retirement transition. Drawing on the life course perspective, this study examined the gender differences in retirement transition sequences using the labor participation history and various forms of retirement. Data are from the 2004 to 2016 HRS with 1,653 older workers. Sequence analysis was used to answer how individuals experienced retirement in the extended time frame. OLS regression analysis was used to estimate the relationship between retirement transition sequences and depression. For both genders, eight clusters of retirement transition sequences were identified. However, the most prevalent group for males was those who experience voluntary retirement transition from full-time work in mid-time point (19%), while the most prevalent group was a gradual involuntary retirement (21%) for females. Regarding the association with depression, those who experienced voluntary retirement after full-time work in all different time points (early, mid, late) and those who retired from self-employment were less likely to have depressive symptoms for males. For females, only those who experienced voluntary retirement from full-time work in mid-time point were less likely to have depressive symptoms. This result contributes to identifying the heterogeneity of retirement transition sequences and their association with depression. The result suggests important implications of gender-specified intervention programs to prevent involuntary retirement and mental health support program for involuntary retirees.

The Longitudinal Association Between Retirement and Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The purpose of this study was to collect the evidence of the relationship between retirement and depression through meta-analysis, and further analyze the heterogeneity of results. The quality of the studies was rated based on ten predefined criteria. We searched articles published between 1980 and 2020 and a total of 25 longitudinal studies were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis results showed that retirement was associated with more depressive symptoms (d =0.044, 95%CI 0.008 to 0.080). The association of involuntary retirement (d = 0.180, 95%CI 0.061 to 0.299) with more depressive symptoms was stronger than voluntary retirement (d = 0.086, 95%CI -0.018 to 0.190) and regulatory retirement (d = 0.009, 95%CI -0.079 to 0.097). Retirement was significantly associated with more depressive symptoms in eastern developed countries (d = 0.126, 95%CI 0.041 to 0.210), and the association was stronger than that in western developed countries (d = 0.016, 95%CI -0.023 to 0.055). These findings suggest that the transition to retirement was associated with higher risk of depression and this association varied by the type of retirement and country. Further empirical studies need to explore the mechanism of retirement and depression and whether such association was linked with socio-economic position.

Deprivation and Early Involuntary Retirement: Area-Level Analysis across English Local Authorities

IntroductionRetirement is a major transition point in life. Falling economic support ratios in many countries have led to a rise in the state retirement age and impending changes to eligibility for state and occupational benefit schemes such as pensions as Governments seek to curb expenditure. Permanently incapacitated individuals from work may face increasing challenges in accessing financial support. Such difficulties may impact those most deprived differentially with potentially significant consequences for morbidity and mortality. Few studies thus far have examined early retirement from a societal perspective. This study explores involuntary retirement in this regard.MethodsA retrospective analysis of the association between deprivation with IHR success rates for Local Authorities (LA) in England between 2015-18 was conducted. Deprivation status was assigned according to the proportion of Lower-Layer Super Output Areas in the most deprived 10% nationally using data from the National Statistics SocioEconomic Classification 2015. Freedom of Information Requests were sent to all 326 LAs in England to obtain data on successful IHR applications, number of active members of respective pensions schemes and numbers of applications.Results131 LAs provided complete data for IHR applications, numbers of approved applications and eligible members. Several others provided data on application numbers but not those awarded. he national IHR approval rate was 2.16 per 1000 members, with a range of 0.16 to 8.96. There was a trend towards a greater proportion of approved application per 1000 eligible members in more affluent LAs.ConclusionThe results from this brief analysis suggest that there is an association between increasing rates of ill-health retirement and higher area-level deprivation. Policy should note that those in more deprived areas face a quadruple whammy; a greater risk of becoming incapacitated from public health and occupational exposures, more limited access to medical support, less opportunities for alternative work and potentially disproportionate disadvantage from stringent pension eligibility criteria.

Appraising the Welfare of Thoroughbred Racehorses in Training in Queensland, Australia: The Incidence, Risk Factors and Outcomes for Horses after Retirement from Racing

There is international public concern regarding retirement of racehorses, including the reason for retirement and the outcome for horses after racing. However, there are currently no prospective studies investigating these factors. A recent independent inquiry in Queensland, Australia, highlighted that the true outcomes for horses after retirement from racing are largely unknown. Furthermore, there are currently no measures to monitor the outcome for racehorses and their welfare once they have left the care of the trainer. This study investigated these gaps in knowledge through a weekly survey conducted over a 13-month period. We aimed to evaluate: (1) the incidence of retirement, (2) the reasons and risk factors for retirement and (3) the medium-term (greater than 6 months) outcomes for horses after retirement. Data were collected through personal structured weekly interviews with participating trainers and analysed using negative binomial and logistic regression. There was a low incidence of retirements, namely 0.4% of horses in training per week. The season and training track did not affect the incidence of retirement. Musculoskeletal injuries were the most common reason for retirement (40/110 horses, 36%). Involuntary retirements accounted for 56/100 (51%) of retirements, whereby musculoskeletal injuries, respiratory or cardiac conditions and behavioural problems prevented the horse from racing The odds of voluntary retirement, whereby the horse was retired due to racing form or impending injury, increased with each additional race start (OR 1.05; p = 0.01) and start/year of racing (OR 1.21; p = 0.03) but decreased with increasing percentage of first, second and third places (OR 0.94; p < 0.001). Medium-term follow-up (median 14 months, IQR 11, 18, range 8–21) revealed that most horses (108/110; 98%) were repurposed after retirement, almost half as performance horses (50/110; 46%). Horses that voluntarily retired had 2.28 times the odds of being repurposed as performance horses than those retired involuntarily (p = 0.03). Whether retirement was voluntary or involuntary did not influence whether horses were used for breeding or pleasure. The primary limitation of this study is that our results reflect retirement in racehorses in South East Queensland, Australia, and may not be globally applicable. Furthermore, we were unable to monitor the long-term outcome and welfare of horses in their new careers. It is vital that the industry is focused on understanding the risks for voluntary rather than involuntary retirement and optimising the long-term repurposing of horses. There is a need for traceability and accountability for these horses to ensure that their welfare is maintained in their new careers.

On how different combinations of conditions produce different early exit/retirement outcomes: a qualitative (case-oriented) comparison of Denmark and Sweden

Denmark and Sweden are rather similar in most societal dimensions, but differ markedly with regard to the employment rate among older workers, which in 2015 was 65 per cent in Denmark and 75 per cent in Sweden. Using a qualitative (or case-oriented) comparative approach, this article seeks to identify configurations or combinations of conditions that have produced these differences in older workers’ work patterns. From an inter-disciplinary perspective, the article draws on the conceptual framework of push (e.g. involuntary retirement due to poor health), pull (e.g. voluntary retirement because of generous welfare benefits), jump (e.g. exit due to a search for life conditions that are more fulfilling than paid work), stay (e.g. older workers remain voluntarily in the labour market because work is fulfilling and well paid) and stuck (e.g. older workers remain involuntarily in the labour market because they cannot afford to retire). Findings are that low employment rates in Denmark are an outcome of a relatively strong combination of push–pull–jump factors, while Sweden, with its high employment rate, exhibits a combination of stay–stuck conditions.

Retirement timing in Italy: rising age and the advantages of a stable working career

This article looks at how retirement timing is changing in Italy. A first aim is descriptive and it is to identify recent trends in retirement age, following the pension reform. Then the focus is on factors which may favour or hinder the extension of the working career of older workers. They are studied by looking at the reasons for retirement, introducing the distinction between voluntary and involuntary retirement, and some predictors of retirement. Some of them relate to the work history of individuals, in particular the stability/instability of careers due to episodes of unemployment. The level of education and gender, two variables that may affect the employability of older workers, have also been considered. The study is based on a longitudinal analysis (Kaplan–Meier survival estimates of transition to retirement and binomial logit discrete-time model for the analysis of retirement predictors) of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) Job Episodes Panel data. They refer to a sample of 1,999 individuals born between 1911 and 1959. Although the various pension reforms initiated in Italy in the 1990s have not yet been fully implemented, retirement age is rising, even in the case of involuntary retirement. Regarding work history, the advantages of a working career with a small number of unemployment episodes emerge from the study.

Nature of Retirement and Loneliness: The Moderating Roles of Social Support

Drawing from the social convoy model, this study investigates whether the nature of retirement (voluntary or involuntary) influences loneliness among retirees, and how different social support types may affect this association. Data come from the 2014 Health and Retirement Study ( N = 2,055). Five social support types were identified: weak, ambivalent, strong positive, children strain, and family strain. Involuntary retirement was associated with a higher level of loneliness; however, involuntarily retired individuals with strong positive social support had a relatively lower level of loneliness. Findings from this study suggest that social support may alleviate the negative impacts of involuntary retirement. Our research provides a theoretical basis for developing a practical program to reduce the negative impacts of involuntary retirement on well-being.