Social Science and Medicine, 66(4), February 2008, pp.849-861.
Publisher:
Elsevier
Few studies have specifically examined trajectories of functional health status or estimated the extent to which they are influenced by childhood health and socioeconomic conditions. This study examines how circumstances associated with early life may shape the level and progression of functional limitations among adults at or near retirement. Employing data from the US Health and Retirement
Few studies have specifically examined trajectories of functional health status or estimated the extent to which they are influenced by childhood health and socioeconomic conditions. This study examines how circumstances associated with early life may shape the level and progression of functional limitations among adults at or near retirement. Employing data from the US Health and Retirement Study (HRS), it estimates latent growth curve models (LGM) of functional limitation. The results demonstrate that functional health trajectories in old age continue to be shaped by childhood health and socioeconomic circumstances. Poor childhood health and disadvantaged social origins are associated with both more functional limitations at baseline and higher rates of increase over time. This association is net of baseline adult chronic disease and socioeconomic status. While both childhood and adult factors influence the baseline level of functional limitation, only childhood health and socioeconomic status are associated with the rate of change in limitations over time.
Subject terms:
retirement, socioeconomic groups, child development, health needs;
This paper considers how social inequality in old age might be structured by previous lifecourse experiences. Specifically, it analyses the impact of ‘life-time’ family and labour market experiences on household incomes of older people in Belgium and the United Kingdom. Prospective panel data and retrospective life-history information from the Panel Study of Belgian Households (1992-2002) and the British Household Panel Survey (1991-2005) were combined. The analysis sample comprised 481 Belgium men, 602 Belgium women, 577 British men, and 803 British women aged 60 years and over. The results show that old-age income is indeed influenced by previous lifecourse experiences, and that differences between Belgium and the UK can be explained in terms of welfare regime arrangements. Family experiences have a larger impact on old-age incomes in ‘male-breadwinner’ Belgium, while in Britain labour market events are more important. As social transfers in Britain are more aimed at poverty prevention and less at income replacement, a ‘scarring effect’ of unemployment persists even into old age. Also, the more of one's career is spent in blue-collar work, self-employment or farming, the lower the income in old age. This effect was found to be significantly stronger in Belgium than in the UK, despite the high level of ‘de-commodification’ achieved by the Belgian welfare state.
This paper considers how social inequality in old age might be structured by previous lifecourse experiences. Specifically, it analyses the impact of ‘life-time’ family and labour market experiences on household incomes of older people in Belgium and the United Kingdom. Prospective panel data and retrospective life-history information from the Panel Study of Belgian Households (1992-2002) and the British Household Panel Survey (1991-2005) were combined. The analysis sample comprised 481 Belgium men, 602 Belgium women, 577 British men, and 803 British women aged 60 years and over. The results show that old-age income is indeed influenced by previous lifecourse experiences, and that differences between Belgium and the UK can be explained in terms of welfare regime arrangements. Family experiences have a larger impact on old-age incomes in ‘male-breadwinner’ Belgium, while in Britain labour market events are more important. As social transfers in Britain are more aimed at poverty prevention and less at income replacement, a ‘scarring effect’ of unemployment persists even into old age. Also, the more of one's career is spent in blue-collar work, self-employment or farming, the lower the income in old age. This effect was found to be significantly stronger in Belgium than in the UK, despite the high level of ‘de-commodification’ achieved by the Belgian welfare state.
CASADO-DIAZ Maria, KAISER Claudia, WARNES Anthony M.
Journal article citation:
Ageing and Society, 24(3), May 2004, pp.353-384.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
During the last two decades, northern European retirement residence in the southern European sunbelt has grown strongly and its forms have rapidly changed, but standard demographic and social statistical sources provide no information about the flows, the migrants or their increasingly mobile and complex residential patterns. Considerable primary research has however recently been undertaken into the causes, conditions, experiences and consequences of international retirement migration (IRM) by investigators from Germany, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Many collaborated when designing their studies and instruments, and all have subsequently worked together in a European Science Foundation Scientific Network. This paper compares the findings of six systematic social surveys in (to be more
During the last two decades, northern European retirement residence in the southern European sunbelt has grown strongly and its forms have rapidly changed, but standard demographic and social statistical sources provide no information about the flows, the migrants or their increasingly mobile and complex residential patterns. Considerable primary research has however recently been undertaken into the causes, conditions, experiences and consequences of international retirement migration (IRM) by investigators from Germany, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Many collaborated when designing their studies and instruments, and all have subsequently worked together in a European Science Foundation Scientific Network. This paper compares the findings of six systematic social surveys in (to be more precise than the title) eight regions of southern Europe and the Canary Islands: all that have tackled similar research questions with similar methods and instruments. It presents interpretations of several comparative tables compiled from their original data, with a focus on the socio-economic backgrounds, motivations and behaviour of the various migrant groups and their relationship with the host and home countries. The paper presents new findings about the typical and variant forms of IRM, and additional understanding of the heterogeneity of the retirees of different nations and in the several regions.
A synthesis of research evidence on how people experiences the move from paid employment to retirement. The review considered people’s attitudes towards their upcoming retirement, the factors that determine any variation in attitude, and people’s experiences of the period post-retirement. It adopts a narrative synthesis approach, to combine the findings of qualitative and quantitative studies. Based on the review the literature, the report discusses the factors that impact on the experience of retirement across themes: gender; socioeconomic position; ethnic and cultural factors; family situation; health; attitudes to ageing; work and occupation; and preparedness and control. Key conclusions identified include, that: control over the retirement process leads to more positive adjustment to retirement; those in less advantaged social positions tend to have more negative experiences of retirement; positive attitudes toward the future predict high levels of planning among men; and negative expectations about the consequences of retirement predict difficulties in adjusting both for the person retiring and for their partner. The review concludes that organisations can have an important impact on expectations around retirement by supporting their older workers’ career development. It also argues that policy makers and practitioners must improve the resources that can help people increase their levels of control to enable them to make the decisions around work and retirement in later life.
(Edited publisher abstract)
A synthesis of research evidence on how people experiences the move from paid employment to retirement. The review considered people’s attitudes towards their upcoming retirement, the factors that determine any variation in attitude, and people’s experiences of the period post-retirement. It adopts a narrative synthesis approach, to combine the findings of qualitative and quantitative studies. Based on the review the literature, the report discusses the factors that impact on the experience of retirement across themes: gender; socioeconomic position; ethnic and cultural factors; family situation; health; attitudes to ageing; work and occupation; and preparedness and control. Key conclusions identified include, that: control over the retirement process leads to more positive adjustment to retirement; those in less advantaged social positions tend to have more negative experiences of retirement; positive attitudes toward the future predict high levels of planning among men; and negative expectations about the consequences of retirement predict difficulties in adjusting both for the person retiring and for their partner. The review concludes that organisations can have an important impact on expectations around retirement by supporting their older workers’ career development. It also argues that policy makers and practitioners must improve the resources that can help people increase their levels of control to enable them to make the decisions around work and retirement in later life.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
older people, ageing, retirement, attitudes, socioeconomic groups, planning, income, literature reviews, quality of life;
... was collected from 9,666 participants in ELSA, including 8,249 ‘core’ participants. The report is structured three chapters, covering: employment and labour market transitions at older ages in England; retirement, well-being, engagement and social status; socio-economic differences in healthy life expectancy and mortality. It also includes a detailed set of tables describing findings in the different domains
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report describes findings from the latest phase of data collection from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), a multidisciplinary study of a large representative sample of men and women aged 50 and over living in England, conducted between June 2014 and May 2015. The longitudinal study began in 2002 and the sample is re-examined every two years. In wave 7, information was collected from 9,666 participants in ELSA, including 8,249 ‘core’ participants. The report is structured three chapters, covering: employment and labour market transitions at older ages in England; retirement, well-being, engagement and social status; socio-economic differences in healthy life expectancy and mortality. It also includes a detailed set of tables describing findings in the different domains included in ELSA, including demographics, income, pensions and wealth, social and cultural activity, cognitive function, physical and mental health, and biomarkers.
(Edited publisher abstract)
The increase in life expectancy raises a complex set of challenges for policy. Among these are the need to respond to the heterogeneity that remains in life expectancy within the older population. This study was based on analysis of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) and aimed to further understanding of patterns and determinants of health inequalities. Objectives included to: describe levels of morbidity, disability and well-being in the English population aged 50 and older and how these are distributed according to key demographic and socioeconomic characteristics; examine cross-sectional relationships between markers of health and economic position, social factors and psychosocial factors. Some selected key findings are summarised. The report notes that to date 14 other papers have been submitted for publication and highlights future research priorities.
The increase in life expectancy raises a complex set of challenges for policy. Among these are the need to respond to the heterogeneity that remains in life expectancy within the older population. This study was based on analysis of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) and aimed to further understanding of patterns and determinants of health inequalities. Objectives included to: describe levels of morbidity, disability and well-being in the English population aged 50 and older and how these are distributed according to key demographic and socioeconomic characteristics; examine cross-sectional relationships between markers of health and economic position, social factors and psychosocial factors. Some selected key findings are summarised. The report notes that to date 14 other papers have been submitted for publication and highlights future research priorities.
Subject terms:
life expectancy, older people, retirement, social networks, socioeconomic groups, ageing, health, health inequalities;
Social Science and Medicine, 64(4), February 2007, pp.818-829.
Publisher:
Elsevier
Retirement from active life often leads to decreased finances and reduced social contact, which may increase ischaemic heart disease (IHD) risk in individuals. The study examined whether income evolution during the decade before retirement has an impact on subsequent IHD, and explored the mediating effect of common risk factors and social support from different sources (marriage/ cohabitation, support from friends/relatives, and neighbourhood-based social support). The authors analyzed data from the 1982–1983 prospective cohort study, “Men born in 1914” (n=498, follow-up period=10 years) conducted in Malmo, Sweden, merged with yearly income data for 14 years preceding baseline. Low income 10 years before retirement predicted both higher prevalence of IHD risk factors at retirement, and weaker neighbourhood-based social support. Income 10 years before retirement was a strong predictor of IHD incidence and mortality after retirement, but a significant downward income mobility at retirement did not increase IHD risk. After adjustment, low neighbourhood-based social support increased the risk of IHD incidence and mortality, and mediated 7–8% of the income effect. In conclusion, income 10 years before retirement, but not the subsequent income evolution, was a strong predictor of IHD post-retirement. This socioeconomic gradient was partly mediated by the protective effect of neighbourhood-based social support, which may be particularly important among the elderly in compensating for social disruptions related to retirement.
Retirement from active life often leads to decreased finances and reduced social contact, which may increase ischaemic heart disease (IHD) risk in individuals. The study examined whether income evolution during the decade before retirement has an impact on subsequent IHD, and explored the mediating effect of common risk factors and social support from different sources (marriage/ cohabitation, support from friends/relatives, and neighbourhood-based social support). The authors analyzed data from the 1982–1983 prospective cohort study, “Men born in 1914” (n=498, follow-up period=10 years) conducted in Malmo, Sweden, merged with yearly income data for 14 years preceding baseline. Low income 10 years before retirement predicted both higher prevalence of IHD risk factors at retirement, and weaker neighbourhood-based social support. Income 10 years before retirement was a strong predictor of IHD incidence and mortality after retirement, but a significant downward income mobility at retirement did not increase IHD risk. After adjustment, low neighbourhood-based social support increased the risk of IHD incidence and mortality, and mediated 7–8% of the income effect. In conclusion, income 10 years before retirement, but not the subsequent income evolution, was a strong predictor of IHD post-retirement. This socioeconomic gradient was partly mediated by the protective effect of neighbourhood-based social support, which may be particularly important among the elderly in compensating for social disruptions related to retirement.
Subject terms:
income, residential care, retirement, socioeconomic groups, very old people, ageing, environmental factors, heart diseases;
Social Policy and Society, 3(4), October 2004, pp.353-363.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Declining state provision, low levels of financial capability, and, it must be added, regulation on savings and investments have impacted severely on the ability of some sections of the UK population to purchase life assurance and savings products. In addition, according to a report submitted to the Treasury, ‘there is a wide consensus that the UK population is not saving enough for retirement. the protection of: financial security for a rainy day; greater comfort during retirement and old age; and access to greater independence and opportunity throughout their lives. Ideally for less affluent consumers, product design should incorporate simplicity and transparency, preferably offer automatic savings of small amounts weekly or fortnightly and be flexible enough for payments to be suspended during
Declining state provision, low levels of financial capability, and, it must be added, regulation on savings and investments have impacted severely on the ability of some sections of the UK population to purchase life assurance and savings products. In addition, according to a report submitted to the Treasury, ‘there is a wide consensus that the UK population is not saving enough for retirement. Savings levels are 20 per cent or more below what they should be. The problem appears to be particularly acute amongst the less affluent, where insufficient levels of saving are likely to have a more serious impact’. This is due in no small part to current banking and insurance practices that have excluded many of the least affluent customers from essential financial services, that afford them the protection of: financial security for a rainy day; greater comfort during retirement and old age; and access to greater independence and opportunity throughout their lives. Ideally for less affluent consumers, product design should incorporate simplicity and transparency, preferably offer automatic savings of small amounts weekly or fortnightly and be flexible enough for payments to be suspended during times of financial hardship without incurring penalties.
Subject terms:
income, pensions, retirement, social exclusion, social policy, socioeconomic groups, economics, equal opportunities;
People leaving work before state pension age risk being poorer in retirement than if they had continued working. This qualitative study of retired people in their fifties and early sixties profiled their experiences, decisions and attitudes before and after they stopped working. People's experience of leaving work differed. Some had left willingly, others had had little choice. Some had left
People leaving work before state pension age risk being poorer in retirement than if they had continued working. This qualitative study of retired people in their fifties and early sixties profiled their experiences, decisions and attitudes before and after they stopped working. People's experience of leaving work differed. Some had left willingly, others had had little choice. Some had left gradually, others abruptly. Some had planned the move, others had had it forced on them with little control over timing. These differences could have profound effects on people's experiences, including whether financial circumstances measured up to their expectations. Those with least choice and control tended to experience greatest difficulties.
People leaving work before state pension age risk being poorer in retirement than if they had continued working. This qualitative study of 56 retired people in their fifties and early sixties profiled their experiences, decisions and attitudes before and after they stopped working. People's experience of leaving work differed. Some had left willingly, others had had little choice. Some had left
People leaving work before state pension age risk being poorer in retirement than if they had continued working. This qualitative study of 56 retired people in their fifties and early sixties profiled their experiences, decisions and attitudes before and after they stopped working. People's experience of leaving work differed. Some had left willingly, others had had little choice. Some had left gradually, others abruptly. Some had planned the move, others had had it forced on them with little control over timing. These differences could have profound effects on people's experiences, including whether financial circumstances measured up to their expectations. Those with least choice and control tended to experience greatest difficulties.