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Are Older Workers Willing to Learn?

Author

Listed:
  • Ruhose, Jens

    (University of Kiel)

  • Thomsen, Stephan L.

    (Leibniz University of Hannover)

  • Weilage, Insa

    (Leibniz University of Hannover)

Abstract

Adult education can mitigate the productivity decline in aging societies if older workers are willing to learn. We examine a generous partial retirement reform in Germany that led to a massive increase in early retirement. Using county-level administrative data on voluntary education activities, we employ a difference-in-differences approach for identification. The estimates show a strong increase in participation in adult education, specifically in cognitively demanding courses, for early retirees who would have continued working in the absence of the reform. This supports the notion of an intrinsic willingness of older individuals to acquire skills and abilities independent of financial incentives.

Suggested Citation

  • Ruhose, Jens & Thomsen, Stephan L. & Weilage, Insa, 2020. "Are Older Workers Willing to Learn?," IZA Discussion Papers 13416, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp13416
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    Cited by:

    1. Stephan L. Thomsen & Johannes Trunzer, 2024. "Did the Bologna Process Challenge the German Apprenticeship System? Evidence from a Natural Experiment," Journal of Human Capital, University of Chicago Press, vol. 18(4), pages 635-667.
    2. Buhr, Daniel & Koch, Andreas & König, Tobias & Laub, Natalie & Reiner, Marcel, 2023. "Innovationen für und durch ältere Menschen," Studien zum deutschen Innovationssystem 7-2023, Expertenkommission Forschung und Innovation (EFI) - Commission of Experts for Research and Innovation, Berlin.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    adult education; older workers; early retirement; partial retirement; generalized difference-in-differences;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J14 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of the Elderly; Economics of the Handicapped; Non-Labor Market Discrimination
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J26 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Retirement; Retirement Policies

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