Giornate di Studio sulla Popolazione (Popdays), Giornate di Studio sulla Popolazione 2017

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Changes across cohorts in the relationship between employment and family histories, paid work until or beyond state pension age, and health. Evidence from the UK
Giorgio Di Gessa, Karen Glaser, Laurie Corna, Rachel Stuchbury, Loretta Platts, Diana Worts, Peggy McDonough, Amanda Sacker, Debora Price

Building: Main Venue Building
Room: room 5
Date: 2017-02-10 09:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Last modified: 2017-01-23

Abstract


Introduction: Late life labour force participation is influenced by contemporaneous factors such as health and economic status, but also by earlier work and family experiences.

Aim of the study: First, we examined the relationship between life course family and labour market experiences and working until or beyond state pension age (SPA) across different cohorts in the UK. Second, we evaluated whether the association between paid work histories and health in later life has changed over time.

Data and Methods: We analysed data from three different cohorts in the United Kingdom (i.e respondents aged 55-69 born 1919-1933 in Retirement Survey; 1929-1943 in British Household Panel Study; and 1939-1953 in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing). We considered current labour market status, health (self-rated health, limiting disabilities, and mobility limitations), and retrospective family and labour market histories. The associations between work-family experiences and paid work and health in later life were analysed using logistic regression.

Results: Respondents (women in particular) with strong attachment to the labour market throughout their lives were more likely to work in later life. Moreover, recent cohorts of respondents are more likely to have worked throughout their lives, and more likely work at older ages.

Keywords


Employment Histories; Paid work in later life; UK