Extending working life and health, ICLS Policy Seminar

The relationships between work, retirement and health in later life are complex and much of the evidence base examines early retirement. In the context of extending working lives in the UK, we use data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing to examine work beyond the state pension age (SPA) to better understand who is ‘extending’ their working life, how employment beyond SPA is related to prior labour market experiences, and the implications of post-SPA work for health.  We find gender differences in the predictors of working beyond SPA but good health is important for both men and women. Working beyond SPA is associated with positive evaluations of health; however, it is only the healthiest who continue in paid employment.