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Impact of retirement and re-employment on the life satisfaction of older adults in Korea

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Listed:
  • Do Won Kwak

    (Korea University)

  • Jong-Wha Lee

    (Korea University
    Australian National University)

Abstract

An aging workforce has adversely impacted the economy in Korea, amid growing fiscal challenges associated with providing pension and healthcare for older people. The increasing elderly population has raised concerns about the diminishing quality of life among seniors. This study explores the impact of retirement and re-employment on the life satisfaction of older individuals, utilizing longitudinal data from 2008 to 2020. To address endogeneity concerns, we use statutory eligibility ages for retirement pension benefits and the expected monetary value of these benefits as instrumental variables for retirement and re-employment status. Our findings suggest that retirement leads to a significant reduction in overall life satisfaction among older individuals. Conversely, life satisfaction improves significantly when retired individuals are re-employed. This study examines the dynamic effects of retirement on life satisfaction by employing the event study framework and investigating the reversal of retirement through re-employment. The findings emphasize that the life satisfaction of older individuals can be enhanced through policies that enable them to extend their employment or pursue new opportunities after retirement.

Suggested Citation

  • Do Won Kwak & Jong-Wha Lee, 2024. "Impact of retirement and re-employment on the life satisfaction of older adults in Korea," The Japanese Economic Review, Springer, vol. 75(4), pages 823-852, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jecrev:v:75:y:2024:i:4:d:10.1007_s42973-024-00176-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s42973-024-00176-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Aging; Retirement; Re-employment; Life satisfaction; Longitudinal study; Pension;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • J14 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of the Elderly; Economics of the Handicapped; Non-Labor Market Discrimination
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J26 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Retirement; Retirement Policies

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