Those who retire later potentially live shorter lives – according to the results of an international study. But there are big differences between the professional groups – and solutions that could help everyone.
The OECD expects the number of pensioners per worker to increase by 50 percent by 2050. Politicians are reacting to the increasing costs with pension reforms – raising the minimum retirement age is a popular measure. It is therefore politically desirable if we retire later, because then we pay longer into the pension fund and only receive money from it later.
In view of the demographic development in Germany, this hardly seems possible any other way. But one German-Spanish study under the leadership of the EPoS Research Center at the University of Mannheim has now proven that those who retire later potentially live shorter lives.
Late retirement may increase mortality
The joint research team from the Universities of Barcelona and Mannheim has investigated whether there is a connection between mortality and retirement age. And it was able to prove empirically that later retirement increases mortality. The scientists used social security data from Spain.
There was a pension reform that raised the entry age from 60 to 65 years. Anyone who made contributions to the pension system before January 1, 1967 could retire voluntarily at age 60, while everyone else had to wait until age 65. Han Ye from the University of Mannheim explained this to the SWRthat “delaying retirement by one year increased the risk of death by 4.2 percentage points between the ages of 60 and 69. That corresponds to a relative increase of 43 percent.”
Results transferable to Germany
So by moving the retirement age from 60 to 65, the risk of death increases with each year of work. This affects certain groups in particular: the increase in mortality was strongest among employees in sectors in which there are regularly a large number of accidents at work – for example in the construction sector.
In addition, mortality was particularly high among people working in occupations with a high psychosocial burden, i.e. those exposed to high levels of psychological and social stress. The results from Spain can easily be transferred to Germany, assures economist Han Ye.
sense of achievement can protect health
But how does that work together with the numerous studies that show that staying longer in the job has a positive effect on mental fitness and keeps people young? Economist Han Ye says that’s not a contradiction. But these positive effects of later retirement are more likely to be felt among people with higher qualifications.
In addition, the working environment of the individual person is very important: “For people, who feel a sense of accomplishment and recognition in their workplace, later retirement often has no negative impact on mortality.”
According to this evaluation, the working conditions in the last few years of employment play an important role in life expectancy. In addition to the physical and psychosocial stress, the self-esteem of the work and the level of qualification are decisive factors.
Flexible retirement reduces risk of death
The research group warns that a flat, later retirement age exacerbates social and economic inequalities in life expectancy. The gradual transition to retirement offers a way out. This is exactly what many people have tried in Spain, they had initially applied for a partial pension. And among these partial retirees, the mortality rate was significantly lower.
Researcher Han Ye from Mannheim stresses that policymakers should consider the health and mortality consequences if they abolish early retirement options. One possible solution is the possibility of working in semi-retirement. The research group also recommends that a further increase in the retirement age be coupled with better health care.