Trends in mortality by labour market position around retirement ages in three European countries with different welfare regimes

Harding, S., Lenguerrand, E., Costa, G., d’Errico, A., Martikainen, P., Tarkiainen, L., Blane, D., Akinwale, B. and Bartley, M. (2013) Trends in mortality by labour market position around retirement ages in three European countries with different welfare regimes. International Journal of Public Health, 58(1), pp. 99-108. (doi: 10.1007/s00038-012-0359-8)

Abstract

<p>Objectives: In the face of economic downturn and increasing life expectancy, many industrial nations are adopting a policy of postponing the retirement age. However, questions still remain around the consequence of working longer into old age. We examine mortality by work status around retirement ages in countries with different welfare regimes; Finland (social democratic), Turin (Italy; conservative), and England and Wales (liberal).</p> <p>Methods: Death rates and rate ratios (RRs) (reference rates = ‘in-work’), 1970 s–2000 s, were estimated for those aged 45–64 years using the England and Wales longitudinal study, Turin longitudinal study, and the Finnish linked register study.</p> <p>Results: Mortality of the not-in-work was consistently higher than the in-work. Death rates for the not-in-work were lowest in Turin and highest in Finland. Rate ratios were smallest in Turin (RR men 1972–76 1.73; 2002–06 1.63; women 1.22; 1.68) and largest in Finland (RR men 1991–95 3.03; 2001–05 3.80; women 3.62; 4.11). Unlike RRs for men, RRs for women increased in every country (greatest in Finland).</p> <p>Conclusions: These findings signal that overall, employment in later life is associated with lower mortality, regardless of welfare regime.</p>

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Lenguerrand, Dr Erik and Harding, Professor Seeromanie
• Authors: Harding, S., Lenguerrand, E., Costa, G., d’Errico, A., Martikainen, P., Tarkiainen, L., Blane, D., Akinwale, B., and Bartley, M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
• Journal Name: International Journal of Public Health
• Publisher: Springer-Verlag
• ISSN: 1661-8556
• ISSN (Online): 1661-8564
• Published Online: 29 April 2012
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2012 The Authors
• First Published: First published in International Journal of Public Health 58(1):99-108
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License