THE IMPACT OF DIFFERENT RETIREMENT PATHWAYS ON COGNITIVE AND PHYSICAL HEALTH AMONG OLDER PEOPLE IN ENGLAND - Research findings and policy implications

Sep 29, 2026

Understanding the health implications of retirement is essential for policymaking and aging research. The study examines how different retirement pathways affect cognitive function, mental health, and physical well-being in older adults using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) waves 1 to 10. Instrumental variable models with individual and time fixed effects use state pension age, early retirement, and state pension receipt as instruments. Findings show general cognitive, mental, and functional declines after retirement, while semi-retirement improves memory, mental health, and daily physical well-being, and full retirement reduces cognitive function and mental health.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Research design and data

Key findings

Policy and aging implications

FAQs

What distinguishes semi-retired individuals from fully retired individuals?

Semi-retired individuals—particularly those who change employers after reaching retirement—show better memory, mental health, and physical well-being than those who remain fully employed or stay with the same employer, while full retirement is linked to declines in cognitive function and mental health.

Sep 29, 2026

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