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Determinants of early retirement and the mutual relation between health and early retirement

Determinants of early retirement and the mutual relation between health and early retirement

Astrid de Wind¹,²,³
Goedele Geuskens¹,²
Allard van der Beek¹,,³
Paulien Bongers¹,²,³
 
¹Body@Work, ResearchCenter on Physical Activity, Work and Health, TNO-VU/VUmc, The Netherlands
²NetherlandsOrganisation for Applied Scientific Research TNO, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
³ Department of Public and Occupational Health, the EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU UniversityMedicalCenter, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
 

 

BACKGROUND                                                                                                                               The working population in The Netherlands is ageing. In addition, many employees leave the work force well before the official retirement age of 65. To support the prolongation of working life, more insight is needed in the determinants of early retirement, and especially in the role of health.

OBJECTIVES
The research question of the present study is:
 
Which factors contribute to retirement before the age of 65 and what is the mutual relationship between health and early retirement?
 
METHODS
Data of the Study on Transitions in Employment, Ability and Motivation (STREAM) will be used. STREAM is a longitudinal cohort study of Dutch employees, self-employed persons, and non-working persons aged 45 to 64 years. Persons included in STREAM participate in a large internet panel of Intomart GfK. The study population was stratified by age and employment status. Data collection started in 2010 and yearly follow-up measurements will take place in 2011, 2012, and 2013.
In addition to the quantitative data, qualitative data will be collected. At least 30interviews with personswho recently made a transition from work to early retirement will be conducted.
 
RESULTS
At baseline, 15.118 persons were included in STREAM, i.e. 12.055 employees, 1.029 self-employed persons and 2.034 non-working persons. A unique feature of the study population is the inclusion of a large number of employees aged 60 years and older (N=2558). First results are expected in 2011/2012. 
 
SOCIETAL IMPACT
The present study aims to contribute to our knowledge on determinants of early retirement and health. These insights will support the development of effective work-related interventions or regulations promoting sustainable employability of workers. 
 
CONTACT
Phone: +31 (0)88 8664290
E-mail: astrid.dewind@tno.nl, a.dewind@vumc.nl