Who benefits from a prolonged working life? The role of work for psychological, cognitive, and health-related changes

The aim of this project is to investigate the effects of a prolonged working life, that is, that people continue to work past the age at which one typically retire.

Previous research demonstrates substantial heterogeneity in types of retirement transitions and that as many as 24% of Swedish older adults still engage to some degree in the labor market at age 70.

We also know that there are systematic differences in the possibilities to choose when and how to retire, which may increase social inequalities and generate cumulative disadvantages for those unable to continue working.

Our current knowledge is however limited about the effects of a prolonged working life, that is, for whom and how prolonged work force participation in later life influences health, function, and well-being.

In order to meet the challenges and opportunities associated with a graying society, we need more research concerning the role of work for changes in physical, cognitive, and psychological health in later life.

The proposed project, HEARTS-STAY, builds on findings and experiences from our previous longitudinal HEalth, Aging, and Retirement Transitions in Sweden project (HEARTS), which has provided unique opportunities to systematically study longitudinal effects of a prolonged working life.

HEARTS has provided us with an empirical ground consisting of six year annual assessment data of a population-based sample of older adults in the ages 60–66 (N = 5913).

HEARTS-STAY will enable continued follow-ups with focus on those who continue to work beyond the normative retirement age of 65.

This will allow evaluations of intra-individual changes in health and well-being over a period of nine years covering the age range of 60–74.

HEARTS-STAY will contribute with much required knowledge about the prerequisites for a prolonged working life, and the proposed follow-up assessments will generate valuable empirical data with high societal relevance to inform and develop future pension systems.