Determinants of retirement timing expectations in the United States and Australia: a cross-national comparison of the effects of health and retirement benefit policies on retirement timing decisions.
Data from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (N = 2,589) and the Australian Household Income and Labour Dynamics survey (N = 1,760) were used to compare the macro-level policy frameworks on individual retirement timing expectations for pre-baby boomers (61+ years) and early baby boomers (45 to 60 years). Australian workers reported younger expected age of retirement compared to the U.S. sample. Reporting poor health was more strongly associated with younger expected retirement age in the United States than in Australia. Cohort and gender differences in the United States were found for the effect of private health insurance on younger expected age at retirement. Our results draw attention to how cross-national comparisons can inform us on the effects of policies on retirement expectations among older workers.
Ageing Research Unit, Centre for Mental Health Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. Kerry.Sargent-Cox@anu.edu.au
Kerry A
KA
Sargent-Cox
Kaarin J
KJ
Anstey
Hal
H
Kendig
Ellen
E
Skladzien
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D001315:Australia; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005431:Florida; D006264:Health Benefit Plans, Employee / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008875:Middle Aged; D010415:Pensions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011640:Public Policy; D012179:Retirement / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States