ERIC Number: EJ773419
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 13
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0091-4150
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Available Date: N/A
The Influence of Specific Physical Health Conditions on Retirement Decisions
Shultz, Kenneth S.; Wang, Mo
International Journal of Aging and Human Development, v65 n2 p149-161 2007
Physical health has consistently been shown to strongly influence the retirement decision-making process. Unfortunately, "physical health" is typically operationalized in global terms. As a result, we know little about the specific aspects of physical health that influence the decision to retire. Therefore, in the present study, data from three waves of the Americans' Changing Lives (ACL) data set was examined to determine which specific health conditions are associated with retirement, continued work in the same job, or continued work but in a different job. The major health conditions most strongly related to retirement were lung disease and cancer, while only lung disease was predictive of job change at older ages. In contrast, arthritis and diabetes were the minor health conditions most strongly related to both changing jobs and retiring over an eight-year period. The results are discussed in terms of the importance of better understanding why specific health factors are associated with retirement and job changes during one's late career. (Contains 2 tables.)
Descriptors: Physical Health, Diseases, Retirement, Career Change, Health Conditions, Decision Making, Cancer, Age Differences, Older Adults, Predictor Variables, Diabetes, Correlation, Wellness, Heart Disorders, Neurological Impairments
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
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Author Affiliations: N/A