TRADITIONAL RETIREMENT OR BRIDGE EMPLOYMENT? - Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms After Returning to Work in Korea

Sep 28, 2026

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Along with rising life expectancy and healthy life expectancy among global aging populations, retirement is being re-evaluated and the later-life value of work is reconsidered. This study analyzes Korean workers’ exit and re-entry into employment and the associated trajectories of depressive symptoms, using nine waves of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Group-based modeling identifies three trajectory groups: consistently low, consistently moderate, and clinically relevant depressive symptoms. Returning to work shows a strong ameliorative effect for the clinically relevant group, highlighting productive aging and policy innovation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background and research aim

Data and methods

Trajectory groups and key findings

Implications for policy and mental health

Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 427 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.1453 TRADITIONAL RETIREMENT OR BRIDGE EMPLOYMENT? TRAJECTORIES OF DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AFTER RETURNING TO WORK IN KOREA Jeremy Lim-Soh1, Hui Xiang Chia2, Shannon Ang3, Rahul Malhotra1, and Pildoo Sung4, 1. Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore, 2. Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore, 3. Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore, 4. Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea Along with an increase in life expectancy and healthy life expectancy among aging populations globally, there is a re-evaluation of the traditional concept of retirement and the value of work in later life. This study explores Korean workers’ exit and re-entry into employment, and their associated trajectories of change in depressive symptoms. Nine waves of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing provided data on the depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression scale; CES-D) of individuals 45 years and older who left work (mean age after leaving work was 66 years). Group-based trajectory modeling captured heterogeneous changes overtime in depressive symptoms, describing the diverse experiences of population sub-groups. We estimated associations between the trajectories and time-invariant individual characteristics and also considered the time-variant role of returning to work. Three trajectory groups were identified: Consistently Low Depressive Symptoms (18%), Consistently Moderate Depressive Symptoms (64%), and Clinically Relevant Depressive Symptoms (19%). The Clinically Relevant Depressive Symptoms group had a CES-D score above the clinical cutoff and were more likely to be self-employed (before retirement), have lower education, and live in non-metropolitan areas. For this group, returning to work had a strong ameliorative effect on depressive symptoms.These findings underscore the dignity of work and the importance of productive aging to mental health. Aging societies should reconsider the overly fixed notion of a universal retirement age and explore policy innovations such as bridge employment and flexible re-employment.

FAQs

What problem does the study address?

The study examines how traditional retirement and returning to work relate to changes in depressive symptoms among Korean workers aged 45 and older.

What data and measure are used to assess depressive symptoms?

Depressive symptoms are measured using the CES-D scale in nine waves of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing.

How many trajectory groups are identified, and what are their main characteristics?

Three groups are identified: consistently low (18%), consistently moderate (64%), and clinically relevant (19%) depressive symptoms, with the clinically relevant group scoring above the clinical cutoff.

What is the effect of returning to work for the clinically relevant group?

For the clinically relevant depressive symptoms group, returning to work has a strong ameliorative effect on depressive symptoms.

Sep 28, 2026

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